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 September is a national holiday? What will you do that day?
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