Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has teased the possibility of a national public holiday if the Socceroos win the FIFA World Cup, even suggesting the nation might deserve an entire week off. Speaking at a business event hosted by the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue on Friday, Albanese made the lighthearted promise to a cheering crowd. “But I reckon if we win the World Cup we might give everyone a week,” he said, drawing enthusiastic applause. The comment was perhaps an easy pledge to make, given the Socceroos’ odds of winning the tournament are currently 350 to 1.
Socceroos Face Egypt in Do-or-Die Clash
The Socceroos will face Egypt on Saturday morning in a crucial World Cup round-of-32 match. The game kicks off at 4am AEST, and fans are expected to flock to pubs as state governments across the country have extended trading hours for the historic encounter. In Queensland, a new licensed venue trial was confirmed earlier this week, allowing pubs and clubs to trade between 3am and 7am on game day. Venues wishing to apply for the license extension must submit an application to the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) by 2pm on Thursday, July 2. All other licensing laws and requirements, including responsible service of alcohol, continue to apply.
State-by-State Trading Hour Extensions
In New South Wales, the state government has a list of special event extended trading, providing longer liquor trading hours for events of regional, state, or national significance. Unlike Queensland, the extended trading hours apply automatically to venues that meet the eligibility criteria for the event. However, all venues must provide a live broadcast of the match during the extended trading period to remain eligible.
In Victoria, venues can apply for licenses for special events, which allow extended trading hours. Some venues may already hold a late-night licence, permitting them to operate late into the evening. Both Western Australian and South Australian venues can also apply for extensions to liquor licences for special events. Each state has its own rules regarding applications and eligibility, and venues must apply through the appropriate government channels.
Venues in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory can apply for an out-of-hours permit if they trade after midnight. Conditions may restrict alcohol consumption to inside the premises, with venues serving after 2am facing additional requirements, such as operating CCTV to comply with surveillance standards in Tasmania. Permits will also allow venues in the ACT to operate until 5am.
