Major Pub Chain Rebrands Australia Day in ‘Long Weekend’ Campaigns

Australian Venue Co is in the spotlight again backflipping on a decision to ban ‘Australia Day’ celebrations last year.

Children wave Australian flags for the arrival of Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla to attend a Sunday morning service at St Thomas' Anglican Church in Sydney, Australia on Oct. 20, 2024. Dean Lewins/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

A major pub chain that backflipped on a decision to ban Australia Day celebrations at its 200 venues last year, is again in the spotlight for choosing not to mention the official date in upcoming promotions.

Australian Venue Co, whose parent company is based in Hong Kong, announced last year it would not celebrate the national holiday because of the potential “hurt” and “sadness” it could cause Indigenous Australians.