The Launceston Show public holiday should be abolished, according to a peak business body.
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Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer Neil Grose said the holiday should not be observed in 2018 and instead should be moved to coincide with a different event.
Launceston Show Society president Jock Gibson said the show, which he said would take place on just one day this year, needed the public holiday for it to have any chance of survival.
“It’s been gazetted [as a public holiday] for forever and a day, so I don’t think it should change,” he said.
“If we hold it on Thursday there’s not as much competition, with kids’ sport and other events, and we feel it would be less competitive if we held it on a Saturday or Sunday.
“We wouldn’t be too happy if the public holiday was changed.”
Mid-week public holidays that are observed in only part of the state cause significant disruption and extra cost to business.
- Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer Neil Grose
The show was announced as cancelled in December last year, after the City of Launceston council said it wouldn’t continue to financially prop-up the event.
It was revealed, at the time, that the society had accrued a large amount of debt.
Mr Gibson said the show would run as a one-day event in 2018, but no advertising or official confirmation on the society’s website has been sighted.
Mr Grose believes the public holiday, still slated for Thursday, October 11, is now redundant.
“Mid-week public holidays that are observed in only part of the state cause significant disruption and extra cost to business,” he said.
“The chamber believes that a better day should be allocated to this public holiday and will meet with the minister responsible as soon as possible to discuss the issue.”
Building and Construction Minister Guy Barnett said the state government was considering the issue, but that no changes would be made without consulting stakeholders and the public first.
“The government is aware of difficulties experienced by regional shows in parts of Tasmania and the potential impact on associated public holidays,” he said.
Mr Grose said Agfest should not be chosen as the replacement public holiday, as it was for Circular Head after the Devonport Show* cancellation.
“It would place significant cost impediments to businesses at Agfest, due to public holiday pay rates, and may detract from attendance at that major event,” he said.
*Original article incorrectly stated the Burnie Show had been cancelled.
Stefan Boscia
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
