The Victorian Government needs to immediately rule out delivering yet another public holiday, which would be an expensive kick in the guts for the State economy.
The Victorian Head of national employer association the Australian Industry Group, Tim Piper, said that Victoria already led the way in Australia with public holidays and yet another one – this time apparently to celebrate Aboriginal culture – would be over the top and unacceptable to businesses in the State.
"This proposal shows a scant regard for businesses operating in Victoria and no real interest in attracting significant private investment to the State. The best case scenario can only be that it replaces the anomalous 'Footy Friday' public holiday," Mr Piper said.
"Public holidays are exceedingly expensive. Footy Friday costs well over $1.5 billion to the economy.
"We simply cannot afford an additional public holiday, whatever the reason, and the Government not only needs to kibosh this ridiculous thought right now, but also to explain that it realises business can't handle more 'double or triple time' whammies.
"The Government knows Victorian businesses are struggling with higher costs, a tight labour market and a slow economy.
"We have told the Government on numerous occasions that business is precarious in Victoria and a further public holiday, or even consideration of it, would show the Government has little regard for business," Mr Piper said.
Mr Piper called on the State Government to ensure there is no more conjecture of a further public holiday.
