Matthew Guy says a coalition government would keep AFL Grand Final eve public holiday

VICTORIA’S AFL Grand Final eve public holiday is here to stay, with Opposition Leader Matthew Guy declaring a coalition government would keep it in place.

VICTORIA’S AFL Grand Final eve public holiday is here to stay, with Opposition Leader Matthew Guy declaring a coalition government would keep it in place.

The holiday was introduced by the Andrews Government in 2015 and has been criticised by business groups for sucking $1 billion a year from the state economy.

But footy fans and most workers have welcomed the day off, and the AFL Grand Final parade attended by thousands of extra people each year.

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The Government had already committed to keeping the public holiday despite its cost, and Mr Guy said the opposition would now jump on the bandwagon.

Victorian Leader of the Opposition Matthew Guy. Picture: AAP

“We didn’t originally support it but we accept its now part of the calendar,” he said.

“I don’t think Victorians want public holidays to be politicised so we will leave the Grand Final holiday as it is.”

Small Business Minister Philip Dalidakis has previously said the holiday was “not created as an economic stimulus” but was for “people to spend time ­together”.

Small Business Minister Philip Dalidakis (left, with Cadel Evans) has backed the holiday. Picture: Mark Stewart

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But the Australian Industry Group, which last year called for the holiday to be shifted from Friday to Monday if it wasn’t dump altogether, has launched another attack.

Victorian head of the AI Group, Tim Piper, said the Government and Opposition should promise to review the holiday’s ongoing impact, after the state election.

“We know it costs industry more than $1 billion for one day off. Many that want to open, simply can’t afford to,” Mr Piper said.

“Friday is, for many, the busiest day of the week and having an additional holiday for the Grand Final is a farce.”

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