Premier to spend $18m on female sport in SA instead of Matildas public holiday

The Premier has ruled out a public holiday if the Matildas win the World Cup, saying it would cost $18m – instead vowing to spend that money elsewhere instead.

South Australians will not get a public holiday if the Matildas win the World Cup but the state will instead plough almost $20m into women’s and girls’ sport.

Premier Peter Malinauskas has resisted pressure for a national day off eight days after the final, instead asking for a costing to taxpayers of the proposed public holiday.

This was assessed at $18m, which Mr Malinauskas told The Advertiser would instead bankroll female sporting infrastructure.

Of this, $10m would go to Football Federation South Australia for women’s and girls’ soccer.

The decision risks SA being isolated as a lone state not to declare a public holiday after a Matildas’ victory, following expectation being raised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

But Mr Malinauskas said the industrial implications of a special day off for the public sector alone would result in an $18m bill.

“Following the receipt of that advice, naturally, there‘s a public policy question you’ve got to ask yourself, if you’re going to spend $18m: ‘What’s going to have the greatest impact, a public holiday?’ or is there something else that you might choose to do instead,” he told The Advertiser.

Premier Peter Malinauskas high-fives Gisela Moro, 6, at Adelaide Comets FC. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

The Matildas celebrate after the penalty shootout win against France at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Adam Head

“So we are committing to spending $18m on partnering with sporting groups to do more grassroots investment in women’s sporting infrastructure, which has been under-invested in.”

Mr Malinauskas said males and females still were too often having to share changerooms or use carparks, declaring this a challenge throughout the state.

He said the $18m would “provide a long lasting legacy of the World Cup”.

“People are talking about the public holiday if we win, I think this is an investment that should happen regardless so we’re making this commitment now. It‘s a commitment that we’re making win, lose or draw.”

A national public holiday to celebrate a Matildas World Cup win will be discussed when the prime minister meets with state and territory leaders on Wednesday and Mr Malinauskas is not alone in opposing the idea.

Gisela Moro, 6, at Adelaide Comets FC. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has refused to commit to the public holiday, saying he wouldn’t be making preparations for a public holiday unless the Matildas were successful.

Appearing at a press conference alongside Mr Albanese, Mr Andrews said he didn’t want to “jinx” the Matildas’ chances by declaring a day off.

“I’m a little bit careful here. I don’t want to jinx this. I am superstitious,” he said.

“I think we all should focus on not necessarily getting ahead of ourselves.”

However, NSW Premier Chris Minns has publicly endorsed the proposal, confirming he would declare a public holiday to occur within a week if the Matildas pulled off a World Cup victory.

“If the Matildas win the semi-final and then win the World Cup final, then yes, we’ll pursue a public holiday in NSW,” Mr Minns said.