Australia will not get a public holiday after Matildas lose against England

Australians have reacted to the loss of the Matildas at the Women’s World Cup — and any hopes of an extra public holiday.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seen in the stands at the semi-final match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney. Picture: AFP

Sorry Australia — you won’t be getting a public holiday courtesy of the Matildas.

The team crashed out of the World Cup on Wednesday night losing 3-1 to England at Stadium Australia. Despite a scorching goal from Sam Kerr, the heroic campaign by the Matildas has come to an end.

One of the results of that is the much-speculated public holiday will not materialise. We were so close!

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seen in the stands at the semi-final match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney. Picture: AFP

Sam Kerr looks dejected after the team's 1-3 defeat and elimination from the tournament. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was even on the verge of pitching a public holiday to national cabinet — but backed down after state leaders suggested he cool it.

He first proposed the plan during a podcast interview with youth outlet The Daily Aus in June.

At one point NSW Premier Chris Minns was also hyping the holiday.

He said that if the Matildas won it would likely occur on the second Monday after the final, so the government could follow due-process and give seven days notice.

Nobody. Ever. Mention. A. Public. Holiday. Before. There’s. A. Trophy. Again.

— Dom Knight (@domknight) August 16, 2023

C'mon Spain. #FIFAWWC#Matildas#TilitsDonepic.twitter.com/pcwAvCOv0m

— Tim McDonald (@TheTimMcDonald) August 16, 2023

But Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews poured cold water over the plan.

He told reporters that he wouldn’t be making preparations for a public holiday unless the Matildas were successful — and it turns out he was right to be cautious as the team couldn’t get over the line.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas similarly said he wasn’t backing the idea because he didn’t want to ‘jinx’ Matildas.

Writer Dom Knight echoed his sentiment on social media writing, “Nobody. Ever. Mention. A. Public. Holiday. Before. There’s. A. Trophy. Again.”

Journalist Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson quipped: “Stuff the British stole: our public holiday.”

Reporter Marnie Vinall added: “Instead of a public holiday can we all have a day off work to have a little cry.”

Even though we won’t get a day off work, the girls did us proud and Aussies will be cheering them on as they play for third place against Sweden.

Originally published as Australia will not get a public holiday after Matildas lose against England