PM lifts hopes of public holiday if Matildas win Cup as small business issues warning

Small business has warned against declaring an “unprofitable” public holiday if the Matildas win the World Cup after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese threw his support behind the idea.

Albanese warned that it was the gift of state and territory leaders to grant the public a day off but said he would ask them for it at next week’s National Cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated with Steph Catley after the Matildas’ first World Cup match in Sydney.Credit: Reuters

Luke Achterstraat, CEO at the Council of Small Business of Organisations of Australia said state premiers needed to keep in mind the cost to small businesses of extra public holidays.

“It’s easy to announce a public holiday, but policymakers need to understand it will come at a real cost, particularly for small business who are doing it very tough at the moment with rising costs,” he said.

“Public holiday penalty rates of 250 per cent – not 25 per cent, but 250 per cent – are a major impost on small businesses who will need to reevaluate whether they even viably trade on the proposed public holiday.

“For many small business owners this will not represent a paid day off, but merely a day of lost trading and being unable to service their customers.

“We urge state and territory leaders to ensure that no small business is left behind and that small business support and investment is a big part of the conversation at National Cabinet”.

The Matildas play France on Saturday in Brisbane in their FIFA World Cup quarter-final for a place in the semi-final in Sydney on Wednesday night. The winner will play either England or Colombia.

On Friday night, Sweden fought off a valiant quarter-final fightback by Japan to advance to the first semi-final in Auckland on Tuesday against Spain, who defeated the Netherlands.

Speaking to ABC radio in North Queensland, Albanese said he would ask the premiers about a day off when he meets them on the same day as the second semi-final.

“I certainly hope they [the Matildas] win,” Albanese told host Annie Gaffney.

“Now if the Matildas get through and win in Brisbane on Saturday afternoon, well I’m sure the whole of Australia will be stopped between five o’clock and seven o’clock on Saturday to cheer them on.

“Then they go into a semi-final on Wednesday, which happens to be the day of [national cabinet].

“So certainly, I’ll be raising with all the premiers and chief ministers, seeking their views on the potential to have a day off.”

The prime minister said that the World Cup being staged in Australia and New Zealand was inspiring future generations.

Albanese said playing sport was positive for young children, aiding their physical and mental health, as well as their personal development.

“Because they learn how to win, they learn how to lose, they learn how to co-operate in a team environment,” he said.

“And those lessons and those social skills that they learn are so important.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns has already indicated that he’d back a public holiday if the Matildas go all the way.

The Matildas play France on Saturday in Brisbane.Credit: Edwina Pickles

Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews has been lukewarm about the idea of a public holiday, warning Matildas fans not to jinx the national team.

Andrews was asked about the possibility on Tuesday. “The prime minister wants to give them a public holiday – I don’t know about that – let’s not jinx this, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” he said.

In 1983, one of Albanese’s political idols, former prime minister Bob Hawke, declared that “any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum” following Australia’s America’s Cup win.

Hawke’s famous quote has prompted calls for national holidays to mark major sporting victories ever since. Last year, the states and territories agreed to grant the public a day off to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

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