Hotel Chain Under Attack For Cancelling Comedian’s Booking

The Quality Hotels & Inns Australia chain has become the subject of an internet smear campaign after allegedly cancelling the booking of controversial comedian Catherine Deveny.

The outspoken Deveny is claiming that the Mildura Grand Hotel bowed to pressure from vocal groups who objected against her performance in the area. Staunchly anti-war, Deveny is a critic of Anzac Day and told The Australian that the hotel told her they were cancelling her booking to protect their image.

“They [the hotel] kowtowed to a bunch of haters, most of whom are from Queensland or Perth and were not locals,” she said. “So I've taken legal advice and will consider my options.”

Today the backlash against the hotel chain has intensified, with a Facebook boycott page set-up and their official page flooded with critical comments.

Deveny told theMusic.com.au this evening, "The Grand has not responded to any email, message, question etc and deleted all the messages on their page."

A representative from the Mildura Grand told theMusic.com.au that they had no comment on the matter, while theMusic was unable to contact a customer relations representative this evening.

The comments posted on the Facebook included, “Federal Anti-Discrimination legislation makes it illegal for hotels to discriminate in their provision of goods and services, of which accomodation is an example, on the basis of political opinion and religious beliefs (as well as all the normal things like sexuality, marital status etc etc) - what legal justification does your establishment have for cancelling Catherine Deveny's booking at the Mildura Grand Hotel?????? Can you please explain???” (sic)

Another accused the page moderator of deleting negative posts: “Deleting wall comments re: canceling someone's booking due to an opinion is not the answer! Management is only proving more incompetent through this action. Come up with a proper media release defending your point of view, that is what adults do in this country of free speech!” (sic)

“This place is "Quality"? How about your discrimination against customers who dislike war?” (sic) posted another.

On a post to mark Mothers Day, one irate user wrote, “Catherine Deveny is a mother, yet you cancelled her booking to stay with you simply because of her political views. Interesting. Sounds in violation of anti-discrimination law to me. I've taken a screenshot of these comments in case Quality Hotels delete them again.”

“I would like to see a public apology to Catherine Deveny for the cancellation of her booking,” was another sentiment. “The sort of behaviour I would imagine from a backward isolated small minded business with no class.”