Apparently Tooheys have begun a petition to get Melbourne Cup declared a National Public Holiday for the Afternoon instead of just the Vexicans (Victorian Mexicans) getting it

www.afternoonoff.com.au

This would have to be the only e-petition or normal petition (which you can print out an get real signatures on) I would ever be bothered signing

Even if you think it pointless..

Who doesn't like the idea of getting a day off (or at the very least, the afternoon!)

I'd rather work than watch a dumb horse race.

8-)

Why don't people get it?

IT WOULD BE A PUBLIC HOLIDAY

= more money for casuals
= paid time off for permanents

You could then DO WHATEVER YOU WANTED!!!

Sif I give a rats ass about a horse race
I don't even like horses..

One end bites, one end kicks and the middles slippery...

I'd rather work than watch a dumb horse race.

werd

For me if im rostered for work on a public holiday it just means more work and less sleep...no other differances...no extra pay.Its a horse race,we have enough public holidays as it is with out having one for horses.

Considering what happens at our work on melbourne cup day.. I would gladly keep it as a work day

Kat raises a good point - the amount of Cup-related fluffing around practically makes the day a paid holiday, without eating into your own personal leave.


Perhaps what needs to be considered, is the Monday before cup day - the work attendance in Victoria is nothing short of abysmal, as people call in sick for an unofficial 4-day long weekend...

Awesome petition! Signed!

edit: creepy, public holidays don't use up your personal leave.



last edited by korbs at 12:02:45 26/Oct/05

the day after sould be a public holiday, as the day itself is effectively a holiday anyway.

I'd rather work than watch a dumb horse race.

how the f*** is horse racing sport?
theres not even a ball;

and no amount of alcohol makes going to the races fun;

Korbs - If I have it right, the Australian worker gets no more than 9 (or is it 10?) days of paid leave.

This is broken into Aussie Day, Anzac Day, Queen's B'day, 2 x Easter, 2 x Xmas, Labour Day and then one left over - usually a Show or Bank holiday..

There used to be a State public holiday (e.g. QLD Day or Vic Day) but it got axed.

So unless there was some industrial relations reform in that favour (granting the Australia worker an extra day off without penalty of PTO), adding an official public holiday would technically just rob you of leave time.

Melbourne Cup day is only a holiday in Melbourne...not Victoria. Melbourne also does not get a day off for the show (i.e. "Ekka day")

oh, in that case i stand corrected.

If I have it right, the Australian worker gets no more than 9 (or is it 10?) days of paid leave

Nope, you don't
If it's an Officially recognised Public Holiday, your employer must also recognise it

UNLESS

You have agreed to specific days only in your Enterprise Bargaining Agreement or some weirdly worded contract

Yes, i love cup day at work. It's fun and you get lunch provided!!

Whoever hasn't signed it should be deported.

Gambling, caining piss and ogling hawt women who are doing the same is my kinda fun. We should have at the very least an afternoon off. Put Bob Hawke back in and he'd love this petition.

what sort of "sport" encourages short people?!??!!?
short people are useless at everything and only just behind old people on the scale of carpness;

i was lauging at the trainer of that horse that fought the system and tried to end its life rather than be whipped by short people again

she was so upset about her poor horsey

IF YOU REALLY LOVE HORSES YOU WOULD SET THEM FREE

I want to see short people ride them while I spend rediculous amounts of money on booze and trifectas that will never win.

You fail at being australian.

Why don't people get it?

IT WOULD BE A PUBLIC HOLIDAY

= more money for casuals
= paid time off for permanents

You could then DO WHATEVER YOU WANTED!!!

Sif I give a rats ass about a horse race
I don't even like horses..

One end bites, one end kicks and the middles slippery...

It's a nice idea HERMITech, and I'll sign the petition for the very reasons you've suggested above...but I don't think the Government will go for it.

Lets overthrow the govt then =)
I mean, they are after Day Light Savings...

^^^
Hehehehe...agreed :P.

Dont diss a sport your know nothing about. It may be pointless to you, but lots of people like horse racing. They enjoy training and teaching thier horses, and jockeys like racing horses. And people like betting on horse races, if your good at it you can cash in pretty well.

Like i think car racing is a complete waste of human resources, But i still accept the fact that some people may find it interesting.