National consistency of public holidays is good for business

Tuesday 21 August | Categories: Workplace and Employment Policy

CCIQ has today provided its full support to the Queensland State Government in creating a more even spread of public holidays.

Moving the Labour Day public holiday to the first Monday in October to coincide with Labour Day in New South Wales, South Australia and the ACT will ease the disruption to production and services for business and industry caused by the concentration of public holidays and long weekends in the first half of the year.

CCIQ is also supportive of national consistency in regards to public holidays to ensure minimal disruption to Queensland businesses, particularly for those who operate across state and territory borders.

To achieve real consistency, we support Queen’s Birthday holiday staying where it is because it is the same in every state and territory with the exception of Western Australia.

CCIQ members have repeatedly told CCIQ that they support moving a public holiday to the first Monday in October to coincide with Labour Day in New South Wales, South Australia and the ACT.

CCIQ believes it is right to have a public holiday for Labour Day however we should not be hung up on the actual date.

Ultimately CCIQ takes the view that the economy and jobs should take precedence over the timing of a specific public holiday.