NSW Premier Chris Minns GUARANTEEs a vacation if the Matildas win the World Cup and divulges the earliest date soccer followers can get a break day
A nationwide vacation on the Matildas in the event that they win, the FIFA Women’s World Cup will probably be on the agenda later this week when the leaders meet.
The Matildas have performed what no Australian soccer group – males or girls – has performed earlier than: safe a spot within the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
The golden ladies are actually only one sport away from the all-important closing and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has argued that Australians ought to be rewarded with a break day if they’re victorious.
“Regardless of what happens, what we need to do is celebrate the Matildas and their achievements properly,” Albanese advised ABC Sydney on Monday morning.
Ahead of the assembly, NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed the decision had his help.
Minns is all in on a vacation as Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and her teammates (pictured celebrating victory over France) can win two extra World Cup video games
The NSW premier should comply with ‘pretty strict rules’ about when he can schedule a break day
“If the Matildas win the semi-final and then win the World Cup final, yes, then we will be pursuing a holiday in NSW, but not just to celebrate the win, but also to have a grand civic celebration and the Matildas in to celebrate with the people of Sydney,’ he told 2GB radio.
Mr Minns would not set a date but stressed that due to the ‘pretty strict’ rules in place it would not take place the day after the final.
“We want to make sure we’re in a situation where there’s enough time, especially for young people, especially young girls, to come and celebrate a huge win,” he mentioned.
“It would be in a week… not the day after because we’re in this situation where the World Cup is on Sunday. You have to put it in the Gazette, it takes seven days, there are pretty strict rules for holidays.’
But not everyone is a fan of the plan.
Nationals frontbencher Barnaby Joyce poured cold water on the idea when asked Monday morning, wondering why we should have a day off to celebrate one team’s success and not another.
Should the Aussies collect the trophy on August 20, every football fan in Australia will celebrate as Ellie Carpenter did after that famous penalty shootout (pictured)
National Party MP Barnaby Joyce opposes a holiday for Sam Kerr and co
“I think it’s a very good reason if the Matildas have a day off. But look, why didn’t we have a day off after the Diamonds won (the Netball World Cup)?’ he told Seven’s Sunrise.
“I mean they would have put in as much effort as anyone else. If we do well at the Olympics, will we have a day off?’
Mr Joyce’s comments echoed those of his leader, David Littleproud, on Sunday, who said employers could not afford the move.
“We just have to be very careful about taking days off, because in the end someone pays. I mean, it’s not like it’s free.
‘Someone has to pay and that is mainly the small companies. And if I asked you ‘would you like to pay for a day off from your colleagues?’ you would probably say no.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backed the idea again on Monday, saying: ‘We must have a proper celebration of the Matildas and their achievements’
Holidays can only be declared by state governments.
The last public holiday agreed upon by the National Cabinet was the National Day of Mourning to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II last September.
Mr Albanese stressed that the world does not stop on a holiday.
“I remember when we held the national day of mourning for the Queen… There was some fear about what would happen and small businesses had the biggest boost, if you’re in the hospitality industry, who had it for a very long time on that day,” he mentioned.
The Matildas play towards England on Wednesday night in Sydney, with the winner taking up Spain or Sweden within the Grand Final the next Sunday.
