Business group opposes extra public holiday
The New South Wales Government’s announcement that September 7 next year would be a public holiday no doubt is welcomed by workers eligible for the day off, but it has met opposition from a leading business group.
The Government announced that the holiday would help with security in Sydney for the APEC Conference, to be attended by some of the world’s leading political figures.
Australian Business Limited’s (ABL) State Chamber said the NSW Premier’s announcement is ill-advised and ignores the fact that while Sydney is hosting the APEC Conference, the rest of NSW needs to be open for business.
“Why should local businesses in the Northern Rivers have to pay their staff for an additional public holiday because of an event occurring in Sydney?” said Sharon Cadwallader, ABL State Chamber Regional Manager for the Northern Rivers.
“This is a public holiday that the businesses of the Tweed, Byron Bay, Lismore, Ballina, Casino and Grafton will be paying for — even though APEC will be held in Sydney.
“Many regional businesses across the State are doing it tough enough already, particularly because of the drought.
“This public holiday will cost businesses throughout NSW over $550 million in additional wages costs.
“Business is supportive of holding the APEC Conference in Sydney in September 2007, however, we don’t need to close down the Northern Rivers because George Bush and Vladimir Putin are visiting Sydney.
“The Government should have consulted with business for alternative solutions. For example, I think NSW businesses would be open to moving the 2007 October long weekend to September in 2007, but we are not supportive of an additional public holiday paid for by NSW businesses.
“The Prime Minister and Premier are effectively saying – here is another public holiday and by the way, we’ll make the businesses of NSW pay for it.
“Business totally understands the costs and risks associated with bringing the world’s leaders to Sydney. This is particularly so given the terrible threat of terrorism that accompanies such events. However, such risks need to be managed and the governments have not learnt from the lessons of the Olympics and consulted widely.”
