‘Disgrace’: Fury over Anzac Day snub in ACT
Workers in the only Australian region not to honor a public holiday on Anzac Day have hit out at the government for the snub.
With the national observance day falling on a Saturday this year, all but one state and territory has agreed to still observe April 25 as a public holiday.
However, for people living in the ACT, this day will be considered a normal weekend day.
The move means workers in seven-day sectors, including fast food, retail and hospitality, will have to either book annual leave or accept fixed pay to attend mid-morning services.
The move sparked outrage among union bosses, who described the approach as a “disgrace”.
This also marks a change from previous years, when Anzac Day (2020 and 2021) fell on a weekend and the ACT government honored the public holiday.
SDA union secretary Bernie Smith said: “It is disgraceful that the ACT government refuses to listen to local seven-day-a-week workers who also want to honor Anzac Day.”
“All other jurisdictions celebrate the Anzac Day public holiday on Saturday the 25th. Why is there no action?”
Instead of a public holiday on Saturday, people living in the ACT will be given a public holiday two days later on Monday.
But the Western Australian and NSW governments opted to make public holidays on both Saturday and Monday, which Mr Smith said would come out of pocket for ACT workers.
What’s happening in each state?
The fact that Anzac Day fell on a Saturday for the first time since 2020 caused each state to take different approaches to the national holiday.
All states and territories outside the ACT will observe the day as a public holiday, although some will add a second public holiday to ensure it remains a three-day weekend.
Each state will have public holidays on the following dates:
• NSW: Saturday 25 April and Monday 27 April
• Western Australia: Saturday 25 April and Monday 27 April
• Australian Capital Territory: Monday 27 April only
• Victoria: Saturday 25 April only
• Queensland: Saturday 25 April only
• South Australia: Saturday 25 April only
• Tasmania: Saturday 25 April only
• Northern Territory: Saturday 25 April only
