Queensland government creates half-day public holiday on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is set to become a half-day public holiday in Queensland after being approved by the state government.
Christmas Eve will not be considered a public holiday until after 6pm, meaning workers will only benefit from extra public holiday penalty rates when they work right through into the evening.
“Many Queenslanders … have to work Christmas Eve and the change would ensure proper compensation for them,” said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
The law is already in place in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
“We received submissions from retail workers, bus drivers, mothers and religious leaders, just to name a few, who wrote of the ever-growing importance of Christmas Eve as a special time for family and friends to come together and celebrate the season and the need to properly compensate those who were required to work,” Grace said Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace.
“The Palaszczuk Governments strongly agrees with them. The night before Christmas is as important to families as the day itself.”
Sheridan Randall, 23rd September 2019
