The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has called on the Victorian State Government and Opposition to promise to undertake a review into the AFL Grand Final holiday after the State election.
According to the Victorian Head of Ai Group, Tim Piper, businesses in Victoria want to see the Grand Final holiday removed.
"It is simply a nonsense to suggest this holiday is needed by workers. We know it costs industry more than $1 billion for one day off. Many that want to open, simply can't afford to," Mr Piper said.
"Friday is, for many, the busiest day of the week and having an additional holiday for the Grand Final is a farce. It undermines our competitiveness as an economy and places us out of kilter with the rest of Australia,” he said.
"Many businesses have to pay penalty rates in order to have people working, especially those with offices in other states. The result for those people is they don't get extra time off, they simply get paid more to work on what should be a normal working day!
"Even many employees recognise this holiday should be on borrowed time.
"We call on both parties to commit to an economic review of the value of the holiday to Victoria and Victorians and consider getting rid of it," Mr Piper said.