It was the backflip that had most Aussie tradies cracking open a celebratory beer.
Being able to kick back on Australia Day, raising a glass with some mates, in one of the nation’s iconic watering holes, is almost as Aussie as it gets.
But until yesterday afternoon, that tradition was under threat as more than 200 pubs nationwide cancelling their Australia Day celebrations, citing concerns that the date brought “sadness” to some patrons and staff.
But after a weekend of intense backlash, Australian Venues Co. (AVC), one of the nation’s largest hospitality groups, reversed its controversial decision and apologised for the outrage caused.
Tradies, punters, and politicians had all voiced their disbelief at the initial decision to keep the lid on Australia Day, with Indigenous leader Warren Mundine slamming the ban as unnecessary.
“Stop banning people and stop banning events,” he said.
“Even to their staff, I’m sure there’s a few of their staff who want to celebrate Australia. Yeah, well, they’re not allowed to do it now.”
Queensland Senator Matt Canavan also weighed in, urging AVC to “get off their moral high horse.” and start catering to their clientele rather than the woke mob.
“They’re a pub, for god’s sake. They deal in alcohol … let people have a good time at a pub,” the senator said.
From ban to backflip
Faced with growing fury, venue operator AVC hit reverse on their decision faster than a tradie backing onto his driveway Friday afternoon.
Yesterday, the company apologised, acknowledging that its decision had sparked “concern and confusion.”
The hospitality group (which ironically has one pub called ‘The Colonist’) assured patrons that their pubs would remain open for Australia Day celebrations and extended an olive branch to the community.
“We sincerely regret that – our purpose is to reinforce community in our venues, not divide it,” an AVC spokesperson said.
“Whether you choose to celebrate Australia Day or not, everyone is welcome in our pubs, always.”
Tradies cheer, but the debate continues
The backflip has been touted as a win for everyday Aussies, especially those tradies who just want to spend their hard-earned public holiday having a beer with a few mates.
Build-it reader and tiler Spencer Richards told Build-it that the initial decision was “ridiculous” and “catering to cancel culture.”
“The only thing we should be banning on Australia Day is running out of beer!” he joked.
Meanwhile, Queensland plumber Mitch told us banning Australia Day in pubs would have had the opposite impact of AVC’s intentions.
“These decision-makers are tone-death; you’re only going to create more division by telling people what they can and can’t celebrate,” he told Build-it.
“As with anything in life, if you don’t like it or don’t want to participate, no one is forcing you to, and you can do something else that day.”
Last call for Australia Day?
However, the initial decision highlights the broader debate surrounding January 26, with sentiment seemingly growing year by year to end the celebrations.
While Australia Day has been a public holiday since 1994, its origins as the date marking the First Fleet’s arrival in 1788 have led to some activists wanting the date changed or even abolished.
Despite this, we may have a few Australia Days left to celebrate, with a recent Roy Morgan SMS poll showing that over two-thirds of Australians still support keeping the date on January 26.
This isn’t the first time a major company has landed in hot water over canning Australia Day.
Earlier this year, supermarket giants Woolworths and Aldi opted not to stock Australia Day-themed merchandise, citing similar sensitivities.
The backlash was swift, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton even calling for a boycott.
Woollies later attempted to make amends by selling Australian flags ahead of the Olympics, but the damage was already done for many customers.
The similar situation brought fury to broadcaster and The Project panellist Steve Price, who had a message for companies dictating what Aussies could and should celebrate.
“When are these finger-waging woke corporations going to wake up to the fact that we don’t want them telling us what to do on Australia Day,” he said on Monday.
“Last year it was Woolworths ‘oh we won’t sell the flag’… Brad Banducci, the CEO, ended up losing his job.”
“Just shut up and let people throw a lamb chop on the barbecue, have a beer and get on with it.”
