Jesus Christ's homeland will be where Victoria's small business minister decides whether to make Christmas Day a public holiday.
If Philip Dalidakis decides against declaring the holiday, the Greens say they will introduce federal legislation pushing for a national approach to Christmas Day penalty rates.
Mr Dalidakis earlier this week was standing by his Labor government's decision to have Victoria remain as the only state or territory not have have a public holiday on December 25.
Now he appears ready back down.
"Somebody I respect and value spoke to me about it just the other day - about their experiences as a worker on Christmas Day," the Victorian MP told reporters on Thursday.
"That made me realise that maybe, just maybe, I've got it wrong.
"I think in public life it's okay to sometimes get things wrong if you acknowledge that and look to remedy the situation."
Mr Dalidakis wouldn't commit to changing the holiday decision, but said he would consider it while on an upcoming trade mission to Israel.
Federal Greens MP Adam Bandt said people who work on Christmas Day should be paid public holiday rates and he is ready to make it law.
"The Greens' plan will protect people's public holiday pay rates for Christmas and New Year's Day in national law, so these special days are protected from future state government Grinches," Mr Bandt said.
Every other state and territory has declared public holidays from December 25 to 27 given Christmas falls on a Sunday this year.
But employers will only be required to pay Victorian employees regular weekend rates, and Victorian workers won't be able to reasonably refuse to work on Christmas Day.
Victorian Deputy Premier James Merlino on Wednesday called for a "national approach" while federal Labor leader Bill Shorten said Christmas Day should be a public holiday "full stop".
But businesses aren't happy after Victoria already added two new public holidays on Easter Sunday and the AFL Grand Final Eve.
"Businesses have planned out their expenditure, rostering and operations over the Christmas period and now face uncertainty and higher costs," Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry boss Mark Stone said.
"It is unacceptable that businesses are restricted in planning for public holidays in advance as established dates are subject to change with little notice."
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