Source : Perth Now news
A new political push is aiming to turn Olympic fever into an annual long weekend for Queenslanders, well before the Games are set to kick off.
The Greens have unveiled a proposal for a statewide public holiday in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, pitching it as a way to celebrate the Games while easing pressure on households feeling the financial squeeze.
Under the plan, dubbed “Games Day”, workers would receive a public holiday on the second-last Friday in July each year, beginning in 2027 and continuing beyond 2032.
The party argues the annual break would recognise the significance of hosting the Olympics while offering some breathing room for residents grappling with rising house and rental prices since preparations ramped up.
But the idea has quickly drawn fire from political opponents.
Liberal Senator Paul Scarr dismissed the proposal outright, awarding it what he called “the gold medal for silly ideas”.
“We need every single working day to build the infrastructure, the stadiums, the facilities for the Olympics,” he told Today.
“So I just think this is a dumb idea.”
Major infrastructure projects are already underway across Queensland, with billions of dollars allocated to venues, transport upgrades and Games-related facilities ahead of 2032.
