Commerce Ballarat is calling on the state government to consider removing the grand final public holiday this year to relieve pressure on struggling businesses.
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The sate government has confirmed the grand final public holiday will be moved to align with the date the grand final lands.
It is understood the AFL is aiming for an October 24 grand final, given there are no further delays to the season.
However there are reports the option of November 1, the Sunday before the Melbourne Cup, is also being discussed.
This option could see the grand final public holiday land on Monday November 2, making two state public holidays in a row.
We call on the government to assist business by removing the AFL grand final public holiday for 2020.
- Jodie Gillett, Commerce Ballarat
It is uncertain what decision will be made on the Ballarat Show Day holiday this year, which Ballarat usually follows instead of Melbourne Cup Day.
Commerce Ballarat chief executive Jodie Gillett said the removal of one public holiday would be welcomed by businesses under pressure.
"This has been the most difficult year business has ever faced," she said.
"We call on the government to assist business by removing the AFL grand final public holiday for 2020.
"We need to protect our businesses and therefore protect our jobs for our communities."
Mitchell Harris Wines director Alicia Linley, who also a Commerce Ballarat and Ballarat Regional Tourism board member, said many businesses would choose to shut if two public holidays fell in a row.
"I probably speak for a lot of hospitality business owners in saying Easter is always a great struggle to work out the staffing allocations," she said.
"It is a very expensive weekend of staff, so unless there are masses of people coming into town to support that increased staff cost it makes it really tricky to open.
"In the past, plenty of hospitality providers haven't opened because that balance just hasn't existed, they just can't afford to pay people the high wages for such an extended period of time.
"You can say a four day weekend will give people an opportunity to come into the regions and support the hospitality businesses, but really they are not going to make much money off it if they are having to pay such high wages."
Ms Gillett said Commerce Ballarat had made contact with local MPs Juliana Addison and Michaela Settle, Coordination of Jobs, Precincts and Regions MP Martin Pakula and Small Business MP Adem Somyurek.
Commerce Ballarat and Ballarat businesses have lobbied against the grand final public holiday since it was first introduced in 2015.
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
