Media release – Tasmanian Small Business Council, 14 August 2023
Proposed Matilda’s public holiday a kick too far
The Tasmanian Small Business Council is urging National Cabinet to reject the Prime Minister’s suggestion of a public holiday if the Matildas win the World Cup.
“Everyone is cheering on the Matildas to win, but a public holiday to celebrate is a kick too far,” said Robert Mallett, Tasmanian Small Business Council CEO.
“Small business is already doing it tough with high energy costs, high inflation and a slowing economy. A serious ‘cost of doing business crisis’ right here on our back door step.
“The last thing they need is the Prime Minister sliding his hand into their pocket, opening their wallet and taking hundreds of millions of dollars out of them to pay for his largesse.
“The fact is, when a public holiday is declared, it is a massive hit to small business.
“Either they have to pay their staff penalty rates (typically 2.5 times the usual wage) without receiving any additional revenue; or simply not open at all, thereby losing previously budgeted revenue.
“Maybe the entire country can contribute the hundreds of millions of dollars which such a holiday would incur by using taxpayer funds to improve the playing, training and changing facilities for female soccer players rather than stealing it from business people.
“Small business simply can’t afford another public holiday and the hit it will mean to their bottom lines.”
