Victoria's AFL Grand Final Holiday Faces Scrutiny Amidst Local Team Absence
Business groups are urging the state government to reconsider the public holiday, citing economic concerns as two interstate teams prepare to compete for the AFL premiership.
Calls are mounting in Victoria, Australia, to scrap the annual AFL Grand Final public holiday following the elimination of all state-based teams from contention. The Brisbane Lions are set to face the Fremantle Dockers in the upcoming grand final, marking the second time in three years that no Victorian teams will participate in the decider.
The grand final parade, scheduled for Friday, coincides with the state's public holiday. While the teams involved do not influence the holiday's existence, business advocacy groups argue that the day off is detrimental to the economy, particularly when interstate visitors are expected.
Tim Piper, Victorian head of the Australian Industry Group, suggested that businesses would benefit more from operating normally during the grand final weekend. "We are shooting ourselves in the foot by having a public holiday on a day when we've got two teams, two sets of supporters coming from two different states, and we won't have everything available," Piper stated. He elaborated that the influx of interstate travelers patronizing hospitality venues and hotels are unable to fully capitalize on the increased activity due to business closures on the public holiday.
A 2017 report by PwC estimated that the AFL Grand Final public holiday cost Victorian businesses approximately $1.2 billion annually. Piper urged the government to reconsider the necessity of the holiday, especially given the current economic recovery phase.
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive, Sally Curtain, echoed the sentiment, advocating for an evidence-based assessment of the holiday's economic benefits compared to its costs.
However, the incumbent Labor government and the Coalition have expressed opposition to abolishing the public holiday. Melbourne's Lord Mayor, Nick Reece, believes the holiday provides a significant economic boost to the city, even in the absence of a home team. Reece anticipates a substantial influx of visitors, which will benefit hotels, pubs, and hospitality venues, thereby increasing economic activity.
Angel Zhong, an associate professor at RMIT, projected that the grand final weekend could generate between $62 million and $75 million in new spending for the current year.