I am not ‘Captain Killjoy Nationals leader rejects public holiday for Matildas
Nationals leader David Littleproud has warned businesses would be hurt, if there was a public holiday for Australia if the Matildas win the World Cup.
The team secured their place in the semi-final after defeating France in a thrilling penalty shootout last night.
Littleproud said while he was fully supportive of the team, a public holiday would not work in the best interests for business owners.
“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 told ABC’s Insiders program.
“I think we’ve just got to understand that someone’s got to foot that bill and businesses out there are doing it tough.
“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.”
It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated a public holiday was increasingly likely if the Matildas win the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Albanese was in Brisbane to witness the stunning quarter-final victory over France and before kick-off he had more praise for a side that is “inspiring an entire nation”.
After last week flagging a national day of celebration should the Matildas lift the trophy on August 20, the prime minister was not retreating ahead of the nail-biter against France that sees Australia now in a World Cup semi-final for the first time.
“I do not that there were concerns expressed when we had a public holiday for the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II and some said that that was something that would cause economic disruption,” Albanese told the media on Saturday before the Matildas game.
“What that did, of course, was increase economic activity in a whole lot of businesses, particularly small businesses, and it actually benefited a whole range of those businesses.”
He reiterated the decision would ultimately be for state and territory governments to make, although last week he stoked hopes of a public holiday when he said individual jurisdictions would “fold like tents” when presented with the argument.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has supported Albanese’s proposal.
“We’d love to back the Matildas with a public holiday,” he said, in a statement read on-air by 2GB host Ben Fordham.
“We’d work with the other states and the Commonwealth to get the right date.
“It’s going to be raised at National Cabinet next week. In the meantime, we’ll get behind the Matildas for the next two games.”
Should we get a public holiday if the Matildas make the World Cup final?
With the date for the grand final a Sunday, it’s not known what the public holiday would be.
But there is some opposition to the notion.
Vaucluse MP and NSW shadow environment minister Kellie Sloane said it would be an unfair burden on business owners.
“It’s populist politics, and it’s damaging to the economy,” she said.
She said she would be supporting the Matildas regardless.
“I can celebrate and still go to work the next day,” she said.
