In a surprising turn of events, a major hospitality company recently found itself in the spotlight after deciding to ban Australia Day celebrations at over 200 of its venues.
Facing intense public pressure, Australian Venues Co has now backtracked on its decision.
What Sparked the Controversy?
Initially, Australian Venues Co instructed its managers not to acknowledge the January 26 public holiday. This date marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, a day that’s historically significant but also painful for some members of the Indigenous community.
“Australia Day is a day that causes sadness for some members of our community,” an Australian Venues Co spokesperson explained to the Herald Sun. “So we have decided not to specifically celebrate a day that causes hurt for some of our patrons and our team.”
Backlash Leads to a Reversal
The decision didn’t sit well with everyone. Indigenous leader Warren Mundine was at the forefront of the backlash, making his objections loud and clear. In response to the uproar, the company decided to reverse its stance.
“We can see that our comments have caused both concern and confusion,” the spokesperson admitted to Sky News. “We sincerely regret that—our purpose is to reinforce community in our venues, not divide it.”
Apologizing and Moving Forward
Australian Venues Co took a moment to apologize for any adverse reactions their previous decision may have caused. “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 hospitality giant, which employs around 9,600 people and serves 15 million patrons annually, recognizes that there’s a mix of opinions and feelings about Australia Day among its employees and customers.
Open Doors, Open Hearts
“We’re always open over Australia Day and continue to book events for patrons,” the spokesperson reassured. “Whether you choose to celebrate Australia Day or not, everyone is welcome in our pubs, always.”
Warren Mundine’s Take on the Issue
Warren Mundine, known for his active role in the Voice to Parliament referendum, offered his thoughts on changing the holiday from January 26. “No matter what date you pick, there’s always going to be a problem,” he shared. While suggesting January 1 as a new potential date, he found it “very un-Australian” because it would mean giving up a public holiday.
Mundine urged for a commonsense approach, telling all parties involved: “Stop banning people and stop banning events.”