Pauline Hanson issues urgent Australia Day message after pub giant’s public holiday ban threatened to derail celebrations across the country

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has urged residents to boycott businesses that refuse to celebrate Australia Day.

Senator Hanson took to Facebook to make the call after it emerged pub chain Australian Venue Co planned to refuse to host Australia Day events.

The pub giant, the country’s second largest and owner of more than 200 locations, said Australia Day causes “sadness” and “pain” for many.

Strong backlash forced the hospitality group to reverse its decision, but Senator Hanson said it showed the power of the public in refusing to give up its traditions.

“You’ve probably seen the news that a foreign-owned company that runs 200 pubs wanted to cancel Australia Day,” Senator Hanson wrote.

“Well, they backed off after the response from the proud Australians!”

‘This shows the power of standing together. If a company doesn’t support Australia and our national holiday, they don’t deserve our business.

“Let’s boycott any company that disrespects our country and our values. Australia Day is for all of us. Let’s keep it that way!’

Her call to action was praised by her followers, who wanted to see an end to corporate cultural attitudes.

“Don’t just boycott them on Australia Day, boycott them permanently,” one person wrote.

“Any company that disrespects the celebration of this beautiful country does not deserve our respect,” wrote another.

‘Companies in this country need to learn that if [they are] If we start messing with our national holiday it’s going to cost them a lot,” a third added.

Others echoed Senator Hanson’s comments about standing up for the values ​​the national holiday represents.

“Australia Day is about being proud and celebrating being Australian or living in Australia,” one person wrote.

“Australia Day is our day,” wrote another.

Senator Hanson has uploaded an impassioned social media post (pictured) encouraging people to turn their backs on businesses and venues that don’t want to commemorate Australia Day

‘I refuse to go to any pub or club [and] store that don’t support Australia Day,” said a third.

“We’re dealing with the corporate woke authoritarian brigade,” one person wrote.

Senator Hanson has previously expressed her resentment at those who oppose the January 26 commemoration, which marks the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney Harbor and the start of the British colonization of Australia.

She claimed in January that people who complain about Australia Day should not be allowed to take advantage of a public holiday.

“Australia Day should be about national pride and unity, not the shame and division gleefully promoted by activists who make a sport of oppressing Australia and its people,” she said.

Senator Hanson also joined the chorus of criticism of supermarket giant Woolworths and retailer Big W for ending sales of Australia Day merchandise.

She argued that companies with “virtual monopolies” do not have the right “to dictate to Australians how and when we can celebrate the founding and success of our country”.

“These companies should not decide that our national holiday on January 26 is offensive,” said Senator Hanson.

Australian Venue Co apologized after the backlash, saying it was never their “intention to hurt anyone.”

“It is not our place to tell anyone whether or how Australia Day should be celebrated,” the company said.

“Whether you choose to celebrate Australia Day or not, everyone is always welcome in our pubs.”

Among the venues set to avoid the Australia Day events were the Claremont Hotel and Bassendean Hotel in Perth and the Regatta Hotel, Boundary Hotel and Friday’s Riverside in Brisbane.

The company is owned by Hong Kong-based investment firm PAG, which bought Australian Venue Co in August 2023 for about $1.4 billion.