The ACT government has declared an anzac day public holiday after reversing an earlier decision that would have left April 25 unmarked because it falls on a weekend. The reversal was announced on Monday night (ET) following meetings with shopkeeper union delegates. The change aligns the territory with neighbouring New South Wales and aims to remove cross-border confusion for workers and families.
Most critical facts: what changed and why
The ACT will treat April 25 as a public holiday, with the government declaring both Saturday and the following Monday as public holidays to provide clarity for the community. Industrial Relations Minister Michael Pettersson said: “This decision reflects the realities of our shared regional workforce and the feedback we’ve received from stakeholders. ” Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the move was important because “the ACT is uniquely positioned within NSW, with many families living on one side of the border and working or studying on the other. ” He added: “Declaring both Saturday and Monday as public holidays respects the significance of the day and provides clarity for the community. This decision provides clear, straightforward arrangements and removes unnecessary confusion across our borders with NSW. “
Immediate reactions from unions, veterans and service groups
The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association had called the previous plan disrespectful, saying staff could not reasonably refuse to work and would miss commemorative events. NSW/ACT branch secretary Bernie Smith warned that employees might be unable to attend marches if the day were not declared a public holiday. Media officer John King of RSL ACT said the organisation encouraged people to commemorate Anzac Day on April 25 and noted that “the assumption from the government always has been that employers will allow veterans, if they are working on Saturday, time off to attend the march. ” Paul Singer, chief executive officer of Soldier On, said: “Whether that be on the day, a moment of reflection or another time, its really important to recognise that com can take many forms, not just formal events on Anzac Day. “
Anzac Day Public Holiday: cross-border work and community impact
Officials framed the reversal as a practical response to the ACT’s location within the wider regional labour market. The government said aligning holiday arrangements with NSW would reduce confusion for workers who live on one side of the border and work or study on the other. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association also pointed out that many shops traditionally open after marches and that staff could lose penalty rates while still being unable to attend commemorations if no public holiday were declared.
Background and what to watch next
Government ministers noted that the ACT has previously treated Anzac Day as a public holiday when it fell on a weekend in earlier years, and stakeholders signalled that a change now would have significant effects on attendance at commemorative events. In the coming days the administration will finalise the formal holiday arrangements and communications to employers and workers, and unions are likely to monitor how employers implement time-off and penalty-rate arrangements. The decision to declare an anzac day public holiday is expected to settle immediate cross-border questions and shape how commemorations are observed this year.
