Debate rages over proposed Victorian public holiday if Matildas win FIFA World Cup

Victorians may yet miss out on a proposed public holiday should the Matildas win the World Cup, with the Andrews government still undecided on whether to back the proposal.

The Andrews government is undecided on whether to back a public holiday if the Matildas win the FIFA Women’s World Cup, despite both the Prime Minister and NSW Premier throwing their support behind the day off.

Sports and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos on Monday said the decision to pursue the celebratory day off was up to Premier Daniel Andrews, who is set to discuss the possibility at national cabinet on Wednesday.

If Daniel Andrews decides not to support a public holiday, Victorians could miss out while Aussies in other states score a day to celebrate the win.

The Prime Minister can advocate for states to adopt a public holiday but it is ultimately the premiers who decide.

“I do not want to be the sports minister who jinxes the Matildas,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

“If the Premier decides out of national cabinet, that’s his decision.”

State Governments are weighing up whether fans of the Matildas will recieve a public holiday if the team takes out the FIFA World Cup. Picture: Lachie Millard

Mr Dimopoulos said Victorians should be focused on Wednesday night’s semi-final between Australia and England.

“Let’s just all focus on Wednesday night,” he said.

“Let’s cross that bridge first.”

Public holidays can only be called by state governments, with the most recent agreed to by national cabinet marking the death of Queen Elizabeth II last September.

Anthony Albanese has, however, backed giving Australians a day off to celebrate a historic Matilda’s FIFA Women’s World Cup win.

He dismissed concerns that small businesses would foot the bill for the public holiday while speaking on ABC Sydney on Monday morning.

“Regardless of what happens, what we need to do is to have a proper celebration of the Matildas and their achievements,” Mr Albanese said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has also confirmed his support for a public holiday, saying if the Matildas take out the win, it will be a “life-changing and unbelievable event”.

Daniel Andrews is yet to confirm whether Victorians will be included in the proposed national public holiday. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“If the Matildas win the semi-final and then win the World Cup final, then yes, we’ll pursue a public holiday in NSW but not just to celebrate the victory, but also to have a massive civic celebration and allow the Matildas to celebrate with the people of Sydney,” he told 2GB radio.

Others opposed the idea, including Nationals frontbencher Barnaby Joyce, questioned why the nation did not take the day off to celebrate the Diamonds’ win at the Netball World Cup.

Opposition leader John Pesutto confirmed the Victorian Liberal Party won’t support the day off, saying small business owners will be forced to bare the costs.

“Somebody’s got to pay for it always and it’s the employers,” Mr Pesutto told 3AW on Monday.

“It’s easy for the Prime Minister or Premier Andrews to say yeah, public holiday, when somebody else is paying for it.”