AFL Grand Final public holiday - is it good for Melbourne?

Totally agree it shouldn't be a public holiday. It would be different if we had more events that could bring in more tourism, offsetting the loss to the economy due to small business shut down, but that's not really the case at the moment.

At a period where our economy is volatile, this isn't the time to bring in something like this.

Keep it on the Friday, but no need for a public holiday.

I'd imagine all the interstate footy fans flying in would be a boost to the city. I'd also expect hotels and everyone else making a dollar would bump up their prices this weekend to cover any costs they might incur from penalty rates.

The interstate fans always visit Melbourne regardless.

Is 13 Victorian public holidays too many? I don't think so. I like having a bonus day off for the AFL and NRL Grand Final weekend as it's been 'a long time between drinks' for Victorian workers who haven't had a public holiday since early June.

As for the impact it has on the Vic economy the AFL Grand Final long weekend brings in huge tourism dollars to Melbourne with fans flying in from around the country booking out accomodation to support both local and interstate teams. This is also compounded by the fact that a lot of Melbournians head out of the city to long weekend hotspots (like the Great Ocean Road, Lakes Entrance and the Mornington Peninsula), so I feel like the impact it has on small businesses is counterbalanced by the boost it provides to Victorian tourism.

As for the loss city businesses face in terms of public holiday penalty rates I feel like the extra numbers of people coming into the city for the Grand Final parade and to watch the Grand Final itself (at Fed Square & pubs etc.) and the extra business they get from these patrons will cover the extra cost of the extra wages.

The Grand Final public holiday is ok with me!

It seems a bit ridiculous to me. Plus, if you're a business owner you're paying employees for an extra day with one less day of productivity.

I think every day should be a public holiday! But seriously, why is there a holiday for AFL but not cricket? Or when the Olympics are on?

I agree with Jason.

If interstate fans were that inclined to watch the Grand Final, they would simply take the day off and fly in on the Friday. I feel like these fans are < 20%...definitely doesn't warrant a country-wide holiday. The other 80% will either sit at home costing employers, or a small portion might go do something completely unrelated to the Grand Final. The latter approach is an argument for public holidays in general, not for a Grand Final public holiday.

As it stands the holiday is estimated to cost the economy 1 billion. No local/Vic boost is going to go anywhere near in offsetting that. Need to think big picture.

Politics aside, i shall enjoy my day off with beers and four and twenty pies. :)

I agree, it makes no sense to have a public holiday for the AFL Grand Final parade.

Maybe we should bring back the Royal Melbourne Show public holiday instead. It used to be on a Thursday but we got rid of it in 1994.
Other states still have a public holiday for their show days.

It just seems very strange to have a public holiday for a sport? Where is the line drawn? What about Cricket or Basketball? I feel like there are more important things to have a holiday for.

In all seriousness it makes no sense to have many of the public holidays we do have. Melbourne Cup? Seriously!

From a business perspective its ridiculous, as it was really just an Andrew's government ploy to lure more voters.

From an Australian footy lovers perspective then I'm 100% behind it! Who doesn't love a bonus day to relax and celebrate Australia's greatest sporting event!

Embrace it while it lasts! Go Bulldogs!!!!!

It certainly cements Melbourne as the "Sporting Capital" of the world and shows Melbournians are serious about their sport if they are prepared to haemorrhage money for it!

Since around the world other countries have public holidays to celebrate religious holidays I guess shows support to the theory that sport is a religion?!
Hmmmm....

I'd prefer a holiday on the Monday as we all can recover from a big weekend! Sydney have their Grand Final on the Sunday and recovery holiday the next day Monday.