'Woke' pub chain issues apology after banning Australia Day because it 'causes sadness'

The statement said: “We can see that our comments on the weekend have caused both concern and confusion.”

“We sincerely regret that – our purpose is to reinforce community in our venues, not divide it.”

They added: “It is not for us to tell anyone whether or how to celebrate Australia Day. We acknowledge that and we apologise for our comments. It certainly wasn't our intention to offend anyone.”

However, many members of the public who were outraged by the decision refused to accept the apology.

“Apology not accepted! When are these finger waving woke corporations going to wake up to the fact we don't want them to tell us what to do on Australia Day,” said conservative commentator Steve Price on The Project.

He also raged about other corporations such as Woolworths, referencing earlier this year when the shop refused to sell Australia Day merchandise.

Co-panelist Sarah Harris chimed in, saying: “It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Like, why would you go out of your way to say we’re not going to celebrate it?”

Indigenous activists regard Australia Day, a celebration of British settlers landing in Port Jackson in 1788, as a holiday to be mourned.

Big companies like Aldi and Woolworths refused to sell Australia Day merchandise earlier this year, prompting a backlash that saw Woolworths' chief executive Brad Banducci step down from the role.

Indigenous leader Warren Mundine called for a “common sense approach” towards Australia Day after the pub chain banned celebrations.

Mundine, who previously said he supported changing the date of Australia day, said he was sick of corporations making decisions on behalf of the public.

“I'm sure there's a few of their staff who want to celebrate Australia. Yeah, well, they're not allowed to do it now,” he said.

The leader called for people to start working together to address the “real issues” impacting the country.