Pubs around the country are getting on board with jumping ship on the national day celebrations, despite a majority still in favour, as the date and meaning become increasingly in doubt.
A new year, and January has traditionally welcomed a procession of promised Australia Day celebrations to be had in venues around the nation. The 26th has heralded a day of parties, typified by themed BBQs, often with Aussie-flavoured menu items, and patriotic bunting and decorations.
But venues throughout Australia, including an increasing number in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, have not been promoting any parties on the day in question, and may not be doing anything specific on the public holiday.
Licensee of the Clovelly Hotel, the aptly named Dan Murphy, says it is not political, amidst a complicated issue pubs are “trying to be neutral, like Switzerland”. They join they formerly rambunctious Watson’s Bay Hotel in not recognising the occasion.
Others, such as Surry Hills’ Forresters, are not even opening on the day. But they, like others, have chosen to put on an event tonight centred on being the non-de-script “public holiday eve”.
Many find the current date problematic, and there are calls for a new, united national date to be chosen. The date specified for Citizenship Ceremonies has changed in recent years, meaning the move is not unprecedented.
Support for the push-back has seen traditional Australia Day parties cancelled, including in the city of Melbourne.
Beyond the social motives, the Institute for Public Affairs acknowledges what is described as a concerted campaign by corporations and schools that has contributed to fewer people supporting 26 January as the formal ‘Australia’ day.
In recent polling released by the IPA, it was found a growing number, particularly young people, were sceptical of the current solution to a national day – but a majority (62 per cent) still supported celebrating on the 26th.
This is a definite decline since the research began. In 2019, 75 per cent of Australians were in favour of the current date.
Although pubs are historically the domain of the masses, and cater to the rule of a majority, many operators report the issue has simply become “too divisive”.
