Australian Venue Co boss breaks silence after Australia Day ban sparks outrage

A hospitality giant has issued a grovelling apology for saying it won’t be holding Australia Day celebrations in its more than 200 pubs and clubs nationwide because it ’causes sadness’.

In a statement Australian Venue Co said it ‘sincerely regretted’ the effect the decision had.  

‘We can see that our comments on the weekend have caused both concern and confusion,’ the statement 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. It certainly wasn’t our intention to offend anyone.’

Australian Venue Co owns 200 venues across Australia, including at least 90 in Queensland and another 60 in Victoria.

They include the Bungalow8, Cargo, Kingsley’s Woolloomooloo, and Parkside Hotel in Sydney, as well as the Esplanade Hotel, Prince of Wales, Duke of Wellington and Garden State Hotel in Melbourne.

Also on the company’s books are Claremont Hotel and Bassendean Hotels in Perth, the Regatta Hotel, Boundary Hotel, and the riverfront Fridays bar in Brisbane and well as the Parkside Hotel and the Colonist in Adelaide.

Although it apologised Australia Venue Co did not indicate any specific Australia Day events would be held in their venues.

‘Across our community of team members and patrons, many different views are held (about Australia Day) and we acknowledge that,’ the statement said.

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

‘We have been, and are always, open over Australia Day and we continue to book events for patrons.’

More to come