The Greens NSW are calling for the NSW Premier to step in and give workers a weekday public holiday to commemorate the Anzac Day centenary anniversary.

This year, because April 25th falls on a Saturday the NSW government has decided to only make that Saturday a public holiday and not to give working people a weekday public holiday on the following Monday.

Of all the public holiday events in the NSW calendar (Easter, Christmas, Australia Day, Queen’s Birthday, Labour Day and Anzac Day) only Anzac Day does not automatically give working people a weekday off.

This delivers the bizarre outcome that working people are given a week day off to celebrate the Queens’ Birthday, but not Anzac Day which many see as the birthplace of a uniquely Australian identity.

In contrast Western Australia has granted an additional public holiday on Monday the 27th and the majority of public sector workers in the ACT also have the benefit of a day off on Monday.

Under the Public Holidays Act 2010 the Minister for Industrial Relations has the power to order either an additional or substitute public holiday wherever appropriate.

Greens MP and Industrial Relations spokesperson David Shoebridge said:

“This government has all its priorities wrong, they have a weekday public holiday for the Queens’ Birthday but not to commemorate Anzac Day which many see as the birthplace of a uniquely Australian identity.

“Of all the public holiday events in the NSW calendar only Anzac day doesn’t get the respect of having a weekday holiday.

“Is Premier Baird really so miserable that he won’t give working people a week day off to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Anzac day?

“Easter, Christmas, the Queen’s Birthday and Australia Day are all commemorated with a weekday public holiday. Only Anzac day is not shown this respect.

“Most people don’t work on a Saturday so they won’t be getting the benefit of a day off work to commemorate Anzac day. That’s not good enough.

“The Greens are calling on the Premier to intervene and deliver working people that little bit of extra time with their families and friends to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Anzac Day,” Mr Shoebridge said.

What can you do?

Send an email to the Premier to let him know that you believe Anzac Day should be properly commemorated

Take action and sign the petition calling for a weekday public holiday for the Anzac Day centenary anniversary.

You can also share on Facebook and Twitter to get the message out.