Coalition commit $250m to female sport infrastructure instead of Matildas public holiday

The next generation of Matildas players would have dedicated female facilities at their local sporting clubs under a $250 million investment made by a future Coalition government led by Peter Dutton.

A new Coalition election commitment to improve female sporting infrastructure will be a long term ‘legacy’ for the Matildas, Diamonds and women’s Ashes team says Peter Dutton. Picture: Lachie Millard

The next generation of Matildas players would have dedicated female facilities at their local sporting clubs under a $250 million investment made by a future Coalition government led by Peter Dutton.

The Opposition leader will on Tuesday announce a new election commitment designed to boost female participation in sport and support grassroots competitions across the country as he takes a swipe at Anthony Albanese’s calls for a public holiday in honour of the Matildas if they win the World Cup.

Instead of a costly extra public holiday, Mr Dutton will argue long-term investment in sport infrastructure is a better way to honour the achievements of Australia’s elite female athletes.

“The Prime Minister’s proposal of a one-off public holiday to celebrate the incredible success of the Matildas comes at a potential cost to the economy of $2 billion and is a stunt which will have no legacy,” Mr Dutton said.

“We think there is a better way.”

A Coalition Government led by Peter Dutton would invest $250m in sport infrastructure to boost female participation. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Under his plan, the Coalition would invest $250m in funding over four years for community sporting infrastructure, with Mr Dutton hoping to secure support from states and territories to grow the fund to $500m.

“This package is aimed at improving sporting infrastructure right across our country for the benefit of our young girls and boys who currently operate with poor change room facilities and substandard sporting infrastructure,” he said.

“With the recent success of the Matildas, Diamonds and Women’s Ashes Teams, we are seeing a surge in interest in women’s sport. We must harness this goodwill to build the sporting infrastructure our young athletes need.”

Coalition sport spokeswoman Anne Ruston said the infrastructure investment would “go a long way” to address the “inequity” between women’s and men’s sports.

“Too many young girls who have an interest in playing sport currently have to change in the sporting club carpark and use the boys toilets,” she said.

“This is not good enough.”

Matildas captain Sam Kerr and her team mates are being praised for inspiring a new generation of young athletes. Picture Lachie Millard

Population growth areas in suburban, outer metropolitan, rural and regional areas would be prioritised for funding, as would projects that reduced barriers to sport participation for women and girls.

Recipients of funds would be required to demonstrate co-funding of at least 20 per cent of the project cost.

As talk of a potential public holiday has gained momentum, former Matilda Melissa Barbieri turned on the federal government over the lack of funding for women’s football.

“Albanese keeps talking about this freaking public holiday – how about you just f***king fund our sport properly,” she said on Twitter.

Barbieri highlighted the plight of A-League female soccer players on $25,000 for 35 weeks of play and coaches on minimum wages.

Mr Albanese has confirmed he will ask state and territory leaders at National Cabinet on Wednesday to consider a public holiday if the Matildas win the World Cup, with NSW Premier Chris Minns already indicating he is on board.