Australian Venue Co continues to shun Australia Day
Australian Venue Co. has hit the headlines again over its stance on Australia Day celebrations.
Late last year, the Hong Kong-controlled pub group was forced to apologise for a controversial ban on Australia Day celebrations across its 200 pubs. However, the group has continued to shun the national holiday and is urging Aussies to celebrate the “January long weekend”.
The move stands in contrast to Australia’s largest pub operator Endeavour Group, which has 350 venues in its ALH portfolio and is promoting live Aussie music, barbecues and kangaroos in their flyers.
A recent poll by conservative think tank the Institute of Public Affairs showed that 69 per cent of Australians say Australia Day should be celebrated on January 26. Interestingly the number has increased since 6% since last year.
The poll also found a majority of all age groups now back the day.
Australian Venue Co, which owns almost 90 venues in Queensland, 60 in Victoria, 20 in South Australia and 10 in Sydney, had directed staff in December “not to specifically celebrate a day that causes hurt for some of our patrons and our team”.
The direction caused public outrage and the group backtracked stating: “We can see that our comments on the weekend have caused both concern and confusion. We sincerely regret that – our purpose is to reinforce community in our venues, not divide it.”
Peter Dutton has vowed to protect the day if elected to government this year, saying Australians should not be made to feel ashamed of the day.
Jonathan Jackson, 23rd January 2024
