The pub giant that backtracked on a controversial decision to ban Australia Day events is still planning to hit customers with a holiday surcharge.
Australian Venue Co has remained mum on whether a 15 per cent surcharge will be applied to more than 200 of its bars and pubs on January 26.
The Hong Kong-owned group sparked massive outrage this week after it decided not to “specifically celebrate a day that causes pain to some of our sponsors and our team.”
After mass outrage and threats from Australians to boycott their venues, the company apologized, saying it was not their “intention to hurt anyone”.
‘We are sincerely sorry: our purpose is to strengthen the community in our places, not divide it. “It’s not for us to tell anyone whether or how to celebrate Australia Day,” an Australian Venue Co spokesperson said.
“Whether you choose to celebrate Australia Day or not, everyone is welcome in our pubs, always.”
Nationals leader David Littleproud said the hotel group was willing to boycott Australia Day but was unwilling to lose holiday profits.
‘The behavior of Australian Venues Co epitomizes the behavior of Australian businesses. We saw it during the Voice (referendum),’ he told the Daily Telegraph.
One of Australian Venue Co’s pubs, The Esplanade ‘Espy’, in St Kilda, Melbourne (pictured), celebrated World Lasagna Day, with Nationals leader David Littleproud branding the group hypocrites for initially rule out Australia Day events.
Australian Venue Co has remained mum on whether a 15 per cent surcharge will be applied to more than 200 of its bars and pubs on January 26 (pictured, Australia Day 2010).
Nationals leader David Littleproud (pictured) said the hotel group was prepared to boycott Australia Day but was unwilling to miss out on holiday profits.
“They are using what they perceive as moral issues for what they believe will be their own corporate benefit.”
Mr Littleproud added that hospitality groups were “hypocritical” because one of their pubs, the Espy in St Kilda, had previously celebrated “world lasagne day”.
Australian Taxpayers Alliance president Brian Marlow believes no pub should be allowed to charge an extra 15 per cent on Australia Day if it has shown “hatred” towards the country and has expressed no interest in celebrating it.
Marlow added that he couldn’t understand why many pub owners “fuck and complain” about their low income but then “want to slap people who want to go to the pub on Australia Day”.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Australian Venue Co for comment.