Anthony Albanese doubles down on call for public holiday if Matildas victorious

The PM has doubled down on calls for a day off if the Matildas win the World Cup, saying it will increase economic activity.

Anthony Albanese says a decision to hold a public holiday will be up to the states and territories. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has doubled down on calls for a public holiday if the Matildas win the FIFA Women’s World Cup, saying the day of celebration would increase economic activity across the nation.

Mr Albanese on Saturday also praised NSW opposition leader Mark Speakman for breaking ranks with the national Liberal Party to declare his support for the Yes camp in the looming referendum.

Speaking before the Matildas’ quarter-final win, Mr Albanese dismissed business claims that holding a public holiday could cost the economy billions of dollars.

“I do note that there were concerns expressed when we had the public holiday for the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II, and some said that that was something that would cause economic disruption,” he said.

“What that did, of course, was lead to increased economic activity in a whole lot of businesses, particularly small businesses, and it actually benefited a whole range of those businesses.”

Mr Albanese said the decision to hold a public holiday was up to the states and territories but noted the Matildas were “inspiring an entire nation”.

The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia said on Friday that a public holiday for the Matildas would impose serious imposition on businesses and cause widespread disruption.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has flagged support for a public holiday if the Matildas secure World Cup victory.

Mr Albanese congratulated NSW opposition leader Mark Speakman for breaking ranks with the federal Libs and publicly supporting the proposed Voice to Parliament.

“I congratulate Mark Speakman … for his very clear statements that he will be voting Yes and supporting Yes in the referendum campaign following on from [former NSW Premier] Dominic Perrottet’s support for a Yes vote in this referendum campaign as well,” he said.

Mr Albanese said the national poll represented an opportunity for change and said the federal Liberals had wasted more than a decade in power and failed to create meaningful change for Indigenous Australians.

“I say to Australians this is an opportunity, don’t miss it,” he said.