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 was revealed pub chain Australian Venue Co was planning to refuse to hold Australia Day events.
The pub giant, which is the country’s second largest and has more than 200 venues, said Australia Day causes “sadness” and “pain” for many.
A fierce backlash forced the hospitality group to backtrack on its decision, but Senator Hanson said it demonstrated the power of the public in refusing to give up its traditions.
“You probably saw the news that a foreign-owned corporation that controls 200 pubs wanted to cancel Australia Day,” Senator Hanson wrote.
‘Well, they’ve backed off after the backlash from proud Australians!’
‘This shows the power of staying united. If a company doesn’t support Australia and our national day, they don’t deserve our business.
‘Let’s boycott any business that disrespects our country and our values. Australia Day is for all of us. Let’s keep it up!’
Pauline Hanson (pictured) praised the determination of Australians after pub giant Australian Venue Co was forced to backtrack on its intention to avoid Australia Day events.
His call to action was praised by his followers, who wanted an end to the business sector’s cultural posturing.
“Don’t just boycott them on Australia Day, boycott them permanently,” one wrote.
“Any business that disrespects the celebration of this magnificent country does not deserve our respect,” wrote another.
“Businesses in this country need to learn that if they’re going to delay our national day, it’s going to cost them,” added a third.
Others echoed Senator Hanson’s comments about upholding the values the national day represents.
“Australia Day is about being proud and celebrating being Australian or living in Australia,” one wrote.
“Australia Day is our day,” wrote another.
Senator Hanson uploaded an impassioned social media post (pictured) to encourage people to turn their backs on businesses and places that don’t want to commemorate Australia Day.
“I refuse to go into any pub, club (and) shop that doesn’t support Australia Day,” chimed in a third.
“Here we are dealing with the woke authoritarian corporate brigade,” one wrote.
Senator Hanson has previously expressed resentment towards those who oppose the commemoration of January 26, which marks the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney Harbor and the beginning of the colonization of Australia by the United Kingdom.
He claimed in January that people who complain about Australia Day should not benefit from 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 trampling Australia and its people,” he said.
Senator Hanson also joined the chorus of criticism against supermarket giant Woolworths and retailer Big W for ending sales of Australia Day products.
He argued that companies with “virtual monopolies” have no right to “dictate to Australians how or when we can celebrate the founding and success of our country”.
“These companies cannot decide that our national day on January 26 is offensive,” said Senator Hanson.
Australian Venue Co apologized following the backlash and said it was never their “intention to hurt anyone”.
“It is not our place to tell anyone whether or how to celebrate Australia Day,” the company said.
“Whether you choose to celebrate Australia Day or not, everyone is welcome in our pubs, always.”
Venues to avoid for Australia Day events included 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 around $1.4 billion.