19th September 2016
Small businesses across the Murray Plains electorate are being forced to endure again the damaging impact of the Andrews Labor Government decision to declare two new public holidays on Easter Sunday and the day before the AFL Grand Final (30 September 2016).
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said that at a time when jobs are becoming even more difficult to find and when many local businesses are already doing it tough many businesses will be forced to close their doors for the day and employees lose shifts.
“The small businesses we rely on to provide the majority of jobs for our local families and young people should not have to pay such a heavy price for these public holidays ” Mr Walsh said.
Victoria now has 13 public holidays the highest of any state or territory.
Last year the Andrews Government’s own assessment of its Grand Final Parade Public Holiday carried out by Price Waterhouse Coopers found it would cost Victoria as much as $898 million per year.
Mr Walsh said the assessment also confirmed that the additional holidays negatively impacted local councils aged care and hospitals with services being cut or organisations being saddled with unfunded wages bills
Research conducted by the Australian Industry Group into the impact of the first Grand Final Parade Public Holiday found it imposed a large cost on Victoria with regional businesses and communities particularly hard-hit.
“I acknowledge some businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector will benefit from a potential increase in trade due to the public holiday but the large majority of local businesses will suffer.
Daniel Andrews must listen to our region’s small businesses and reverse this job destroying decision. Please contact my office on 54 822039 or email peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au to share your experience ” Mr Walsh said.