Daniel Andrews might be true to his word but he isn’t kicking goals with his AFL grand final eve public holiday.
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Friday’s historic public holiday, which was designed to foster greater interest in Melbourne’s AFL grand final parade, did little for south-west Victorians.
While the day off work opened up opportunities for families to travel to Melbourne for the parade, it’s doubtful many did.
Melburnians have reportedly left the city in search of an escape from the rat race. But what happens when they hit tourist centres like Warrnambool? A majority of businesses were shut because they could not afford to pay penalty rates in the hope visitors might flood through the doors.
The grand final is a bit like the Melbourne Cup. Everyone takes an interest in it but not everyone has to be there or loves it.
The Andrews government’s decision to create the holiday on the eve of the grand final can be justified for Melbourne residents.
If there’s a free event to go to and there’s no work or school, then you are more likely to take in the festivities. Again, like the Melbourne Cup.
But when you get out into regional Victoria, the day off has no meaning other than a sleep in.
The government would be better off making the public holiday mandatory in the city but optional in regional areas, again like the Melbourne Cup.
In Warrnambool, the Melbourne Cup day holiday is transferred to May for our own Warrnambool Cup – a day that means a lot.
Warrnambool City Council has written to the Municipal Association of Victoria advocating such an option.
Arguably regional and rural centres would benefit more from having a day off for a galvanising cause.
Imagine the community spirit that could be fostered around having a public holiday for the Warrnambool Show.
Older generations have fond memories of going to the show.
But since the public holiday for the show was axed about a decade ago, the event has declined. Is that a coincidence?
Communities deserve an opportunity to choose their own public holiday and that point was clearly highlighted on Friday.
The government needs to re-think its approach. Give the power to the people.