New public holiday to be declared in Australia – but only some of us will get the day off
- Christmas Eve is set to become a public holiday in Queensland from 6pm onward
- It would ensure workers either get paid more or can spend time with their family
- A retail award based worker would pocket an extra $124 for their night’s work
- Fast food workers would take home an extra $157 for working on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is set to become a public holiday in Queensland as soon as the clock strikes 6pm.
The change would ensure workers either get paid more to work the night before Christmas, or they get the night off to spend with family and friends, the Sunday Mail reported.
The move would mean a retail award based worker would pocket an extra $124 for working that evening.
Fast food workers would take home an extra $157 for the night, according to the government.
Annastacia Palaszczuk said the night before Christmas is as important to families as the day itself.
Fast food workers would take home an extra $157 for working on Christmas Eve
‘It would ensure workers have the right to have Christmas Eve off as a public holiday just as they do for Christmas Day,’ she said.
She said making it a public holiday would give workers in essential services, such as nurses and hospitality workers, better pay for their time.
‘While the government can’t restore weekend penalty rate cuts inflicted upon some 160,000 Queenslanders by the then Turnbull/Morrison Government, we can at least do the right thing for people working on Christmas Eve.’
Queensland has followed in the footsteps of South Australia and the Northern Territory, where from 7pm Christmas Eve becomes a pubic holiday.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said several industries and services could be affected by the part-day Christmas eve public holiday.
She said the government is encouraging everyone to have their say on the proposal.
The Queensland government plans to legislate the proposal in time for Christmas eve this year.
‘A 2013 review of the arrangements in South Australia found there was strong opinion that Christmas Eve held a special status in the community in-line with it being recognised as a public holiday.
‘And that there was considerable community support for the improved protections and wages for workers that come with a public holiday.’
Annastacia Palaszczuk said the night before Christmas is as important to families as the day itself