Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s backing of a public holiday for the Matildas is gaining support from the states but employers warn it will cost small business just when they are doing it tough.
However, he told reporters that he first wanted to see the Matildas make the finals, which will be held in Sydney, and noted there were still two knockout games before then.“But that would be such a monumental achievement, something that hasn’t been done by a football team ever in the men’s or the women’s game, and we want to be in a position where we can celebrate that achievement,” he said.
“We all love the Matildas and we all want them to win but the cost to an economy under pressure of another public holiday would not be welcomed by business,” he said.Advertisement “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 pretty tough at the moment with rising costs,” he said.