Popular politician claims holiday for Matildas…
Top politician denounces plans for Aussies to get a holiday if the Matildas win the World Cup: ‘I don’t want to be a bummer, but…’
Politicians are divided over whether Australians should have a day off if the Matildas go all out.
On Saturday, Sam Kerr and her teammates achieved what no Australian team – men or women – has done before: secure a spot in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
After beating France 7-6 on penalties after an epic 120 minutes of play and the longest shootout in Cup history, the Matildas now set their sights on playing England’s Lionesses on Wednesday.
Australia is also one step closer to a memorial holiday, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese planning to use Wednesday’s national cabinet meeting to discuss with prime ministers and prime ministers the possibility of a day off if the Matildas go all the way.
But Nationals leader David Littleproud said that while he fully supports the Matildas, a holiday would cost things too much.
Holding a holiday when the Matildas (pictured after beating France) win the World Cup is wildly popular with Aussies – but one politician is keen to put a handbrake on the idea
Nationals leader David Littleproud says giving Aussies a holiday would leave business to ‘pay the bill’
“I don’t want to be a bummer here, but I think things have a point here,” he told the ABC’s Insiders.
“It’s easy to call for a national holiday if someone else is paying for it. I’m proud of the Matildas and so is every Australian, and we’re going to be driving them home… but I think we need to understand that someone has to foot the bill.
And companies are having a hard time. We live in a great country, but we have to pay our bills and keep the country running.”
Mr Albanese on Saturday dismissed small business concerns about an “unprofitable” holiday, arguing that such an event would be good for the economy.
Anthony Albanese (pictured supporting the Matildas at the World Cup) has supported the holiday and dismissed concerns about its effect on the economy
Fans celebrate the victory over France at Federation Square in Melbourne on Saturday night. They hope the Matildas can get another victory in the finals on August 20 – followed by a day off
The Council of Small Business Organizations Australia is particularly concerned about CEO Luke Achterstraat’s warning that a potential holiday would come at the expense of already struggling small businesses.
“Public holiday penalty rates of 250 percent — not 25 percent, but 250 percent — are a major burden on small businesses that need to reevaluate whether they are even viable to trade on the proposed holiday,” he said.
Ahead of Saturday night’s game, Mr Albanese said the same concerns had been raised for the one-off holiday last year following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
“Some said that was something that would cause economic disruption. Of course, what that did was lead to more economic activity in a lot of companies, especially small ones, and actually benefited a whole range of those companies,” said Mr. Albanese.
“These are decisions for state and territory governments, but the Matildas are inspiring an entire nation.”
The Matildas play against England on Wednesday evening in Sydney, with the winner taking on Spain or Sweden in the Grand Final the following Sunday.