By Luke Voogt
Union delegates hit the streets of Geelong on Wednesday warning residents that a Liberal State Government would scrap the controversial AFL Grand Final public holiday.
The union action followed a Geelong Chamber of Commerce survey finding that more than 80 per cent of the chamber’s 900-plus members wanted the holiday scrapped.
Trades Hall Council secretary Colin Vernon attacked the Liberals despite their lack of a policy on the holiday.
“They’ve got absolutely no credibility – they’re the same people that advocated cutting weekend penalty rates.”
The opposition’s proposed “minister for Geelong”, Andrew Katos, backed calls to scrap the day despite his party having yet to “formulate our position”.
“From an employer perspective it’s a complete waste of time,” he said.
“In the end someone’s got to pay for this holiday.”
Mr Katos said only central Melbourne benefitted.
“A lot of people I speak to think it’s a complete joke to have a day off for the Grand Final parade.”
Mr Katos said that if the holiday remained then it should transfer to the Monday as the “lesser of two evils” for Geelong.
Chamber chief Bernadette Uzelac said 84 per cent of members opposed the additional public holiday.
“Not everyone is barracking for a public holiday on AFL Grand Final eve,” she said.
Thirty-nine per cent of survey respondents said sales were significantly lower during last year’s holiday.
More than half were reducing staffing or hours in response, Ms Uzelac said.
Sixty-seven per cent who opened for last year’s holiday would not do so again, the survey found.
Geelong MP Christine Couzens described the holiday as a great boost for the regional economy and a valuable opportunity for families to get together.
“Workers in Geelong want this holiday and I fully support it.”
The day gave businesses an opportunity to stay open and promote themselves, she said.
“If they chose not to then that’s their choice.”
