Albanese Clarifies Stance on Potential Olympic Public Holiday

Australia’s Olympians have “brought joy, excitement and pride to every Australian”, the Prime Minister says, as the push for a celebratory public holiday grows.

Anthony Albanese has hosed down rumours of a new public holiday to celebrate Australia’s historic gold medal tally at the Paris Olympics.
Australia’s Olympians have won the country a record 41 medals so far, including 18 golds, 12 silver and 11 bronze.

The previous gold medal record was 17.

Prime Minister told Sunrise on Thursday it was “a fantastic achievement” Australia’s competitors “have brought joy, excitement and pride to every Australian.”

But it was not enough to get a public holiday over the line.

Host Matt Shirvington, a former Olympian himself, asked: “A national public holiday, is that on the cards? Could this be the new date for Australia Day?”

“I think your days off are ones to negotiate with your management,” the Prime Minister responded.

Though, Mr Albanese did spare a thought for the Australians tuning in to the Olympics at all hours of the night.

“Certainly there are many Australians who’ll be pretty tired after the last couple of weeks because they have been engaged with our athletes,” he said.