The hypocritical truth about the pub group that has BANNED Australia Day from 200 pubs and venues

The company that canceled Australia Day in hundreds of pubs across the country is owned by a Hong Kong-based company co-founded by a Chinese billionaire.

The Asian international conglomerate has been heavily criticized for the move, and vilified for disguising its foreign ownership while still happily cashing in on Australian drinkers.

Australian Venue Co announced on Sunday it is canceling its January 26 celebrations, saying it is causing “sadness” and “pain” for many customers and staff.

The company has since issued a groveling apology, saying venues would avoid Australia Day events because they “cause sadness”.

However, it is not yet clear whether the more than 200 locations are allowed to celebrate the day.

Despite its real name, Australian Venue Co is actually owned by Asian private equity fund PAG, which bought it for around $1.4 billion in August 2023.

Indigenous Coalition Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price described the company’s boycott of the national holiday as not in line with majority opinion in the wake of the rejection of the Indigenous Voice in parliament last year.

“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 we saw today,” Senator Price told Daily Mail Australia on Monday evening.

‘The referendum gave many Australians the confidence to publicly oppose the separatism of these ideologically driven decisions.

‘I would encourage those same Australians to continue to vote – with their wallets and with their feet, by taking their business to places that do not bow to ideology, but rather the celebration of our incredible country and the freedoms we enjoy in Australia Encourage Day. ‘

The January 26 debate has sparked outrage and division among Aussies in recent years.

Controversy remains over celebrating the date when the First Fleet arrived from England to colonize Australia and Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack to claim Sydney Cove for the British Crown in 1788.

The resulting dispossession of the indigenous population has led many to say that this date is one of mourning and loss, and has now been renamed ‘Invasion Day’.

Invasion Day marches are now attended by thousands of people across the country.

Outspoken commentator Prue MacSween slammed Australian Venue Co bosses for turning their backs on Australia Day.

She believed the company’s foreign owners had a “death wish.”

‘It’s just a way for these people to make money. They want to exploit Australians and maybe they should stick to that and not try to impose their values ​​on us,” she said.

‘Because it is not welcome, they are parasites in our country.’

MacSween said it was “appalling and insulting” that a non-Australian-owned company was trying to cancel the National Day celebration.

“Australia’s nationalist pride is all-consuming and they have underestimated how sacred this is,” she continued.

“Central Australia is fed up with it, has had enough, and we’re not going to take it anymore.”

It is understood PAG’s ownership of Australian Venue Co could now end as early as 2025, with the investment giant now considering an exit from the Australian pub business.

The Australian reported that the exit could be part of a massive multi-billion dollar share offering in Hong Kong’s stock market.

The hospitality giant operates more than 200 locations across Australia, including high-profile bars in Sydney such as Cargo and Bungalow 8, as well as another 90 in Queensland and 60 in Victoria.

The response prompted a humiliating apology from the company’s bosses for causing offence.

But it stopped with a backflip – and still invited punters to the pubs on Australia Day despite the ban on festivities.

“We can see that our comments last weekend have caused both concern and confusion,” a spokesperson said.

‘We sincerely regret that; our goal is to strengthen the community at our locations, not divide it.

‘It is not our place to tell anyone whether or how Australia Day should be celebrated. We acknowledge that and apologize for our comments.”

The spokesperson added: ‘It was certainly not our intention to offend anyone.’

But not everyone was impressed with the apology.

Indigenous activist Warren Mundine, who led the successful No campaign with Senator Price before the Voice referendum, described the company’s apology as “the worst I have ever seen”.

“They need to come out and say they are lifting the ban and will never do this again,” he told Daily Mail Australia.

“We don’t want this kind of bigoted behavior 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 must celebrate our nation.”

As for suggestions that Australia Day could cause “sadness” among some customers and staff, Mr Mundine was dismissive.

‘What is the sadness? We have something to celebrate. “It’s about celebrating us,” he said.

‘This is a celebration of Aussieness, that we treat each other decently, that we give each other a fair chance, opportunities.

“Migrants can come here and work hard and eventually buy a business or buy a house and educate their children. That’s what Australia Day is all about.

‘I wish people would stop spoiling the party.

However, Australia Venue Co did receive some support for their move.

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization CEO Auntie Jill Gallagher told the Melbourne radio station the company had shown courage.

“I thought they were very courageous and courageous to join the first people of this country,” Gallagher said on 3AW Drive.

“How can you expect us to celebrate it with all other Australians when it is a day of pain and suffering.”

Supermarket giants Woolworths and Aldi sparked public outrage earlier this year when the retailers announced they would no longer sell Australia Day merchandise ahead of the January 26 bank holiday.

“We know that many people like to use this day as a time to come together and we offer a wide variety of products to help customers celebrate the day as they choose,” Woolworths announced at the time.

“Woolworths and BIG W celebrate the best of Australia every day, and we are proud to support the farmers, producers and suppliers who work with us.”

Brad Banducci stepped down as CEO of Woolworths weeks later in the wake of the massive public backlash.