August 13, 2023 — Nationals leader David Littleproud has expressed opposition to the proposal of a public holiday if the Matildas win the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The issue is set to be discussed at the national cabinet meeting this Wednesday, creating a lively debate over its potential cost to employers.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is rallying for state and territory leaders to endorse the public holiday, but business leaders are urging caution, citing concerns about the financial implications. This unexpected tug-of-war has injected a dose of political drama following the Matildas' recent victory over France on Saturday night.
The Matildas' historic triumph over France, securing a place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals for the first time, ignited a wave of national pride. However, Nationals leader David Littleproud stood firm against the idea, despite confessing to experiencing such heightened excitement on Saturday night that he struggled to fall asleep due to his "elevated" blood pressure.
In a lighthearted moment during an interview on ABC's Insiders program, Littleproud humorously remarked, "I don’t want to be Captain Killjoy on this but look, I think business has a point here – it’s easy to call for a national public holiday when someone else is paying for it."
He further emphasized the need to balance celebration with responsibility, stating, "We live in a great nation – we can celebrate our wins, but we’ve got to get on and pay the bills and make sure that the country keeps going."
While Prime Minister Albanese expressed his intention to discuss the matter with state premiers and territory chief ministers during the upcoming national cabinet meeting in Brisbane, he clarified that the power to declare public holidays resides with state and territory governments.
Australians are now awaiting the outcome of the cabinet meeting with bated breath, curious to see whether the holiday proposal will gain traction. Albanese, in a past interview on Triple M breakfast radio, playfully noted, "It’d be a pretty brave Australian state leader, wouldn’t it, who said no to that."
Among state leaders, NSW Premier Chris Minns has signalled his support for a potential public holiday if the Matildas win the final on August 20. Meanwhile, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews remains cautious, expressing his reluctance to commit in fear of inadvertently "jinxing" the team's success.
Luke Achterstraat, CEO of the Council of Small Business of Organisations of Australia, emphasized the need for a balanced approach. He pointed out that public holiday penalty rates, reaching a staggering 250 per cent, could impose significant challenges on small businesses, forcing them to reevaluate their viability on the proposed holiday.
The coming Wednesday's national cabinet meeting is set to shed light on whether Australians will enjoy a public holiday as a well-earned celebration for the Matildas' exceptional victory. In the end, it appears the debate over balancing celebration with fiscal responsibility will continue to spark lively discussions across the nation.
