EDITORIAL: Australia Day should be one we can all drink to

Australia Day should be a day where we unite and celebrate everything that is good about our great nation. Instead, it has become the most divisive date on the calendar.

And while most Australians agree we have much to be proud of, we are being robbed of the opportunity to come together and acknowledge that on what remains our official national day, January 26.

The date, which marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove, is seen as increasingly problematic due to the adverse impact British settlement had on Australia’s Indigenous populations.

But rather than having grown up conversations on the issue or allowing those who wish to celebrate the opportunity to do so on an official public holiday, increasingly activists and businesses are taking the decision-making upon themselves leaving many Australians confused about what to do.

As a result, a day that should be about our multicultural nation coming together, is increasingly tearing us apart.

Australian Venue Co, who operate more than 200 pubs and bars across the country, this weekend announced they would not be hosting Australia Day celebrations in 2025.

A spokesperson for the company, which is owned by Asian Private Equity Group PAG, said the decision had been made because January 26 “causes hurt for some of our patrons and our team”.

However, by Monday the group was doing some major back-pedaling after widespread backlash.

“It is not for us to tell anyone whether or how to celebrate Australia Day, we acknowledge that and we apologise for our comments,” a spokesperson said.

“Our purpose is to reinforce community in our venues, not divide it. Whether you choose to celebrate Australia Day or not, everyone is welcome in our pubs, always.”

The backflip comes after Woolworths also faced widespread condemnation when it announced it would not stock Australia Day-specific merchandise ahead of January 26 this year. The move led Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to call for a boycott of the supermarket giant.

Local councils have also been winding back Australia Day celebrations in recent years giving those who want to celebrate on the day they have off, fewer opportunities to do so.

Indigenous leader Warren Mundine, who supports changing the date, was vehement in his criticism of corporations making the decision on behalf of the public and employees. The theme echoes sentiments expressed when businesses outspokenly backed the Voice.

“We’re getting sick and tired of those corporates telling us what to do and what not to do,” Mr Mundine said.

“If people want to celebrate, they should be allowed to do that.”

It wasn’t until 1994 that January 26 became a unified public holiday across all states and territories and the fact is the majority of Australians don’t really mind what date we celebrate, so long as we have an opportunity to do so.

But until such time as the date is officially changed, then no one should be condemned for wanting to spend Australia Day at the pub raising a glass.