"Wokeness gone mad": Steve Price slams AO Australia Day boycott
Steve Price has slammed Australian Open organisers for choosing not to celebrate Australia Day for the second year in a row.
The decision came after the Victorian government axed its Australia Day parade last year, amid growing backlash from athletes about celebrating on January 26.
“This started last year and ended Australia Day celebrations, they used to feature fireworks, the playing of the national anthem and special musical events to mark the day at the tennis,” the Sky News host said.
“So we have First Nations day, no drama from me about that, then the organisers have set aside a day for Australian Open Pride Day, an Australian Open All Abilities Day and an Australian Open Glam Slam for the LGBTI+ folk that will run across January 26 to 28.
“You can’t make this stuff up.”
Price also slammed the AO's decision to move the induction day for the tennis player who made it into this year's Australian Tennis Hall of Fame.
The event normally takes place on January 26, but this year Lleyton Hewitt’s induction has been moved to the 24th of January.
“This year it’s going to be Lleyton Hewitt – you couldn’t get a more Australian Australian than Lleyton Hewitt,” Price said.
“They’ve changed the date of that event from Australia Day, when it used to be, to the 24th, two days earlier.
“This is just crazy wokeness gone mad.
“Can anyone at Tennis Australia defend this disgraceful snubbing of our national day by a tournament that carries the name of our nation," he ranted.
Price then slammed the AO organisers for their decision.
“It’s a pity the woke directors who run Tennis Australia don’t have the courage to drag the South African bloke running the organisation Craig Tiley into line and insist we recognise the great nation that lends its name to his tennis tournament," he said.
A few others have agreed with Price, including Journalist Joe Hildebrand, who said that the decision is “counter-productive” in terms of making any meaningful difference.
“The idea that these sorts of ridiculous virtue-signalling gestures are going to make any difference … is absolutely ridiculous – in fact, it puts people off even considering or wanting to address these issues,
“This sort of stuff is what cost the Yes vote its victory … and it’s just so counter-productive, self-destructive, idiotic – you could use any name.”
Radio Personality Tom Elliott, also called the move ridiculous.
“If you’re going to call yourself the Australian Open and it happens that our national day takes place during the tournament, you have to acknowledge Australia Day,” he said.
“Maybe the date will change down the track, but right now it’s January 26.”
Images: Getty/ Sky News