[Janelle Ward]

Thursday, 22 September, has been declared a national holiday. Did we need a public holiday to mark the Queen’s death? We did, said PM Anthony Albanese, who described it as a historic occasion.
“Essential services do open on public holidays and it is the case that penalty rates apply on public holidays. This is a one-off occasion, this is historic,” he said.
“That’s the very nature of what is a once-in-a-lifetime event and therefore we gave as much notice as possible, which is why I spoke to the premiers and chief ministers on Saturday and why we made the announcement on Sunday.”
But others disagree that a public holiday – costly for many – is required.
Health professionals in particular have hit out at the move fearing it could leave clinics and hospitals short staffed.
“Operations and lots of patient consultations booked that day, at a time when access is difficult. Thanks for dropping this at short notice,” said Australian Medical Association president Steve Robson.
ENT specialist Dr Eric Levi said there were other ways to honour the Queen.
“We don’t need another public holiday,” he said. “We can honour a person in a hundred other ways.”
Did you welcome the news that 22 Septembe, is a national holiday? What will you do that day?

[David Ryder]

I think there has traditionally been a public holiday for the death/funeral of a monarch although it’s been such a long time the tradition may have been forgotten.
For me it makes little difference one way or the other.
It might have been better to hold it on the Friday though as making it a Thursday will mean a lot of workers will take a four day break. Good for holiday destinations I suppose.

[Marten]

Not essential!

[Sue Ridge]

I’m not fussed either way but I find it surprising as to why the public holiday has not been on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. To promulgate it on a Thursday with the only excuse being that the PM will arrive back the day before is ridiculous as it will create a rash of sick people on the Friday. Perhaps the PM is trying to please Andrews whose state already has the Friday off for the AFL grand final parade and if the public holiday was on the Friday then Victoria would miss out.

[Sen.Cit.90]

I agree entirely with the comments Sue Ridge made on 13/09/22;

[KSS]

Frankly, it is churlish for these ‘complaints’ to cite lack of notice as their issue of concern. The Queen did not choose the date of her demise in advance – but had she done so I am sure her first thought would have been to inform the AMA and Small Business of her plans – NOT!

Perhaps Mr Albanese can ascertain from King Charles exactly the time and date when the King will die so that due notice can be given to the AMA and Small Business ahead of time!

And if the AMA and small business are that concerned they can elec t to work on 22 September as usual. problem solved.

[Mocha]

No we certainly do not require a public holiday. This is too costly for small businesses as the people who aren’t working will not be paying homage to Queen Elizabeth II.

[Author]

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