More holidays in richest state could boost productivity
Western Australians currently have the second fewest number of public holidays in the nation, with 11.
That's two less than Victoria and the ACT, which each have 13, while South Australia and the Northern Territory have 12 full days.
NSW and Queensland also have 11 public holidays, and Tasmania has 10, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The WA government is reviewing the state's public holidays to potentially better align them with the east and boost productivity.
"Western Australia is the engine room of the national economy, and I want to keep it that way," Premier Roger Cook said on Sunday.
"It's also important that WA workers receive similar benefits to what workers receive in other states, because that's the right thing to do."
The WA government is considering moving existing public holidays to align with other jurisdictions, moving WA Day, currently held in June, to avoid winter, and adding extra public holidays.
It's calling for feedback from the community, businesses and peak bodies about potential changes to the holiday schedule.
The state's peak business group, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, said aligning WA's public holidays with the rest of the country made sense and would be welcomed.
"But WA businesses would oppose extra public holidays," acting chief executive Aaron Morey said.
"The cold, hard fact of the matter is that small businesses are doing it very tough at the moment."
UnionsWA said it "wholeheartedly" supported the review.
"Families are having to work flat-out to keep up with the cost of living and meet all the demands of modern life," state secretary Rikki Hendon said.
"Public holidays are now one of the few genuine opportunities for working people to stop, relax, spend time with friends and family, and actually enjoy some of the fruits of their labour."
The United Workers Union said WA was the only mainland jurisdiction that did not recognise the Easter Saturday public holiday.
It means WA workers rostered on Easter Saturday do not receive a higher rate of pay.
State secretary Carolyn Smith said it was time for parity with the other states.
"West Australians work just as hard as workers in the eastern states, and are just as deserving of public holidays, and this review is a chance to demonstrate that," she said.
"It's also a chance to explain to nay-sayers that bringing WA into line with other states will not cause the sky to fall in."
National holidays, such as Anzac Day, Australia Day, Christmas and Boxing Day, are not being reviewed.
Some jurisdictions also have regional, part-day and sector public holidays not included in the totals listed in this story.
Workers in Australia's wealthiest state could get more time off.
Western Australians currently have the second fewest number of public holidays in the nation, with 11.
That's two less than Victoria and the ACT, which each have 13, while South Australia and the Northern Territory have 12 full days.
NSW and Queensland also have 11 public holidays, and Tasmania has 10, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The WA government is reviewing the state's public holidays to potentially better align them with the east and boost productivity.
"Western Australia is the engine room of the national economy, and I want to keep it that way," Premier Roger Cook said on Sunday.
"It's also important that WA workers receive similar benefits to what workers receive in other states, because that's the right thing to do."
The WA government is considering moving existing public holidays to align with other jurisdictions, moving WA Day, currently held in June, to avoid winter, and adding extra public holidays.
It's calling for feedback from the community, businesses and peak bodies about potential changes to the holiday schedule.
The state's peak business group, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, said aligning WA's public holidays with the rest of the country made sense and would be welcomed.
"But WA businesses would oppose extra public holidays," acting chief executive Aaron Morey said.
"The cold, hard fact of the matter is that small businesses are doing it very tough at the moment."
UnionsWA said it "wholeheartedly" supported the review.
"Families are having to work flat-out to keep up with the cost of living and meet all the demands of modern life," state secretary Rikki Hendon said.
"Public holidays are now one of the few genuine opportunities for working people to stop, relax, spend time with friends and family, and actually enjoy some of the fruits of their labour."
The United Workers Union said WA was the only mainland jurisdiction that did not recognise the Easter Saturday public holiday.
It means WA workers rostered on Easter Saturday do not receive a higher rate of pay.
State secretary Carolyn Smith said it was time for parity with the other states.
"West Australians work just as hard as workers in the eastern states, and are just as deserving of public holidays, and this review is a chance to demonstrate that," she said.
"It's also a chance to explain to nay-sayers that bringing WA into line with other states will not cause the sky to fall in."
National holidays, such as Anzac Day, Australia Day, Christmas and Boxing Day, are not being reviewed.
Some jurisdictions also have regional, part-day and sector public holidays not included in the totals listed in this story.
Workers in Australia's wealthiest state could get more time off.
Western Australians currently have the second fewest number of public holidays in the nation, with 11.
That's two less than Victoria and the ACT, which each have 13, while South Australia and the Northern Territory have 12 full days.
NSW and Queensland also have 11 public holidays, and Tasmania has 10, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The WA government is reviewing the state's public holidays to potentially better align them with the east and boost productivity.
"Western Australia is the engine room of the national economy, and I want to keep it that way," Premier Roger Cook said on Sunday.
"It's also important that WA workers receive similar benefits to what workers receive in other states, because that's the right thing to do."
The WA government is considering moving existing public holidays to align with other jurisdictions, moving WA Day, currently held in June, to avoid winter, and adding extra public holidays.
It's calling for feedback from the community, businesses and peak bodies about potential changes to the holiday schedule.
The state's peak business group, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, said aligning WA's public holidays with the rest of the country made sense and would be welcomed.
"But WA businesses would oppose extra public holidays," acting chief executive Aaron Morey said.
"The cold, hard fact of the matter is that small businesses are doing it very tough at the moment."
UnionsWA said it "wholeheartedly" supported the review.
"Families are having to work flat-out to keep up with the cost of living and meet all the demands of modern life," state secretary Rikki Hendon said.
"Public holidays are now one of the few genuine opportunities for working people to stop, relax, spend time with friends and family, and actually enjoy some of the fruits of their labour."
The United Workers Union said WA was the only mainland jurisdiction that did not recognise the Easter Saturday public holiday.
It means WA workers rostered on Easter Saturday do not receive a higher rate of pay.
State secretary Carolyn Smith said it was time for parity with the other states.
"West Australians work just as hard as workers in the eastern states, and are just as deserving of public holidays, and this review is a chance to demonstrate that," she said.
"It's also a chance to explain to nay-sayers that bringing WA into line with other states will not cause the sky to fall in."
National holidays, such as Anzac Day, Australia Day, Christmas and Boxing Day, are not being reviewed.
Some jurisdictions also have regional, part-day and sector public holidays not included in the totals listed in this story.
Workers in Australia's wealthiest state could get more time off.
Western Australians currently have the second fewest number of public holidays in the nation, with 11.
That's two less than Victoria and the ACT, which each have 13, while South Australia and the Northern Territory have 12 full days.
NSW and Queensland also have 11 public holidays, and Tasmania has 10, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The WA government is reviewing the state's public holidays to potentially better align them with the east and boost productivity.
"Western Australia is the engine room of the national economy, and I want to keep it that way," Premier Roger Cook said on Sunday.
"It's also important that WA workers receive similar benefits to what workers receive in other states, because that's the right thing to do."
The WA government is considering moving existing public holidays to align with other jurisdictions, moving WA Day, currently held in June, to avoid winter, and adding extra public holidays.
It's calling for feedback from the community, businesses and peak bodies about potential changes to the holiday schedule.
The state's peak business group, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, said aligning WA's public holidays with the rest of the country made sense and would be welcomed.
"But WA businesses would oppose extra public holidays," acting chief executive Aaron Morey said.
"The cold, hard fact of the matter is that small businesses are doing it very tough at the moment."
UnionsWA said it "wholeheartedly" supported the review.
"Families are having to work flat-out to keep up with the cost of living and meet all the demands of modern life," state secretary Rikki Hendon said.
"Public holidays are now one of the few genuine opportunities for working people to stop, relax, spend time with friends and family, and actually enjoy some of the fruits of their labour."
The United Workers Union said WA was the only mainland jurisdiction that did not recognise the Easter Saturday public holiday.
It means WA workers rostered on Easter Saturday do not receive a higher rate of pay.
State secretary Carolyn Smith said it was time for parity with the other states.
"West Australians work just as hard as workers in the eastern states, and are just as deserving of public holidays, and this review is a chance to demonstrate that," she said.
"It's also a chance to explain to nay-sayers that bringing WA into line with other states will not cause the sky to fall in."
National holidays, such as Anzac Day, Australia Day, Christmas and Boxing Day, are not being reviewed.
Some jurisdictions also have regional, part-day and sector public holidays not included in the totals listed in this story.
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