NSW Government in Talks for Additional Public Holiday on Anzac Day Weekend
The New South Wales government is actively considering the introduction of an extra public holiday to create a long weekend when Anzac Day falls on a Saturday. Premier Chris Minns has confirmed that his administration is engaged in discussions about this potential change, which could take effect as early as this year and again in 2027.
Aligning with Other States and Territories
Currently, only Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory observe a public holiday on the Monday following Anzac Day when it occurs on a weekend. This leaves residents in NSW without an additional day off, despite nationwide remembrance services being held on April 25th. Premier Minns highlighted this disparity during a recent radio interview, noting that NSW is underserved compared to other states in terms of public holidays.
"We are underserved when it comes to public holidays, there's a lot more in every other state," Minns stated. "We're going to have a conversation about it for this year."
Consultation with the RSL
A key aspect of the proposal involves consulting with the Returned and Services League (RSL) to ensure that any new holiday does not diminish the significance of Anzac Day itself. The premier emphasised the importance of maintaining the solemnity and relevance of the national day of remembrance.
"I've got to have confidence that it's not going to - if we have a public holiday on the Monday - it doesn't detract from the salience of the 25th," Minns explained. "It's got to be the 25th that's hugely important."
Current Public Holiday Landscape
Anzac Day is one of ten public holidays recognised across Australia in 2026. Most Australians receive an additional three or four holidays, depending on their state or territory. In contrast, NSW currently enjoys just two extra public holidays: the King's Birthday in June and Labour Day in October. This places the state behind others like Victoria, Queensland, ACT, and South Australia in terms of holiday entitlements.
The Victorian government, which also does not observe a Monday holiday for Anzac Day, has been contacted for comment, along with various business groups who may have concerns about the economic impact of an additional day off.
Broader Implications and Future Considerations
The potential addition of a public holiday in NSW reflects ongoing debates about work-life balance and regional equity in holiday provisions. While some territories, such as Christmas Island, celebrate up to six extra holidays including Chinese New Year, the focus in NSW remains on aligning with mainland states to ensure consistency and fairness for workers and businesses alike.
As discussions progress, the NSW government will need to balance commemorative respect with practical considerations, potentially setting a precedent for other states to follow in future years.
