The hypocritical truth about the pub group that has BANNED Australia Day from 200 pubs and venues
The company which cancelled Australia Day at hundreds of pubs across the country is owned by a Hong Kong-based firm that was co-founded by a Chinese billionaire.
The company which cancelled Australia Day at hundreds of pubs across the country is owned by a Hong Kong-based firm that was co-founded by a Chinese billionaire.
The Asian international conglomerate has been slammed for the move, and blasted for disguising its foreign ownership while still happily cashing in on Aussie drinkers.
Australian Venue Co announced on Sunday that it was scrapping its January 26 celebrations, saying it causes sadness and hurt for many patrons and staff.
The company has since issued a grovelling apology for saying its venues would shun Australia Day events because they cause sadness.
However, its yet to clarify whether its more than 200 venues would be allowed to celebrate the day.
Despite its true-blue name, Australian Venue Co is actually owned by Asian private equity fund PAG, which bought it over in August 2023 for about $1.4billion.
Indigenous Coalition Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price described the companys boycott of the national day as out of step with majority opinion in the wake of last years rejection of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
This decision is the antithesis of what Australians voted for when they voted no to the Voice - that is clear from the immediate public outcry which we saw today, Senator Price told Daily Mail Australia on Monday night.
Australian Venue Co has copped massive backlash over its decision to ban Australia Day celebrations at its venues. Pictured are Australia Day revellers at Bondi beach
Indigenous Coalition Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price described the companys decision as the antithesis of what Australians voted for
The referendum gave many Australians the confidence to publicly stand against the separatism of these ideologically-driven decisions.
I would encourage those same Australians to continue voting – with their wallets and with their feet, by taking their business to places which dont bow to ideology but rather encourage the celebration of our incredible country and the freedoms we enjoy on Australia Day.
The January 26 debate has sparked outrage and divided Aussies in recent years.
Controversy continues to swirl about celebrating the date when the First Fleet from England arrived to colonise Australia and Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack to claim on Sydney Cove to claim it for the British Crown in 1788.
The resulting dispossession of of Indigenous people has led many to say the date is one of mourning and loss, which has been relabelled as Invasion Day.
Invasion Day marches have grown to be attended by thousands across the nation.
Outspoken commentator Prue MacSween blasted Australian Venue Co bosses for turning their backs on Australia Day.
She believed the companys foreign ownership had a death wish.
Its just a money-making exercise for these people, they want to exploit Australians, and maybe they should stick to that and not try to impose their values on us, she said.
Because its not welcome, theyre parasites on our country.
MacSween said it was appalling and insulting that a firm that wasnt Aussie-owned tried to cancel the national day celebrations.
The nationalist pride of Australia is an overriding thing and theyve underestimated how sacred this is, she continued.
Middle Australia is sick of it, fed up with it, and were not going to take it anymore.
Australian commentator Prue MacSween blasted Australian Venue Co bosses for turning their back on Australia Day and said she believed the companys foreign ownership had a death wish.
Its understood that PAGs ownership of Australian Venue Co may now end as early as 2025 with the investment giant now weighing up an exit from the Australian pub trade.
The Australian reported the exit may be part of a massive multi-billion dollar share offering on the Hong Kong stock market.
The hospitality giant operator owns more than 200 venues across Australia, including high profile Sydney bars like Cargo and Bungalow 8, as well as 90 more in Queensland and 60 in Victoria.
The backlash prompted a humiliating apology from company bosses for causing offence.
But it stopped short of a backflip - and still invited punters to come to the pubs on Australia Day, despite the ban on celebrations.
We can see that our comments on the weekend have caused both concern and confusion, a spokesperson said.
We sincerely regret that - our purpose is to reinforce community in our venues, not divide it.
It is not for us to tell anyone whether or how to celebrate Australia Day. We acknowledge that and we apologise for our comments.
The spokesperson added: It certainly wasnt our intention to offend anyone.
Warren Mundine described the companys apology on Monday as the worst I have ever seen
The Garden State Hotel in Melbourne is one of the high profile venues impacted
But not everyone was impressed with the apology.
Indigenous activist Warren Mundine, who along with Senator Price spearheaded the successful No campaign before the Voice referendum described the companys apology, as the worst I have ever seen.
They should come out and say they are lifting the ban and will never, ever do this again, he told Daily Mail Australia.
We do not want this sort of bigoted behaviour from people who hate Australia and hate Australians.
Let this be a lesson to everyone. We love this country and we love our fellow Australians. We should celebrate our nation.
As for the suggestion Australia Day could cause sadness for some patrons and staff, Mr Mundine was dismissive.
Whats the sadness? We have something to celebrate. Its about celebrating us, he said.
This is a celebration of Aussieness, that we treat each other decently, that we give each other a fair go, opportunities.
Migrants can come here and work hard and end up buying a business or end up buying a house and get their kids educated. Thats what Australia Day is all about.
I wish people would stop spoiling the party.
Warren Mundine described Australia Day as a celebration of Aussieness, that we treat each other decently, that we give each other a fair go, opportunities. Pictured are Australia Day revellers
The Cargo Bar at Sydneys King Street Wharf (pictured) is among more than 200 venues run by Australian Venue Co
However Australia Venue Co did receive some backing for their move.
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation CEO Aunty Jill Gallagher told Melbourne radio station the company had shown courage.
I thought they were very brave and very bold to stand with the first peoples of this country, Gallagher said on 3AW Drive.
How can you expect us to celebrate with all of the other Australians, when its a day of hurt and suffering.
Supermarket giants Woolworths and Aldi sparked major public outrage earlier this year when the retailers announced they would no longer sell Australia Day merchandise ahead of the January 26 public holiday.
We know many people like to use this day as a time to get together and we offer a huge variety of products to help customers mark the day as they choose, Woolworths announced at the time.
Woolworths and BIG W celebrate the best of Australia every day, and were proud to support the farmers, producers, and suppliers who work with us.
Brad Banducci stepped down as Woolworths chief executive weeks later in the wake of the massive public backlash.
