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West Australian
19-07-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Joe Spagnolo: Happy Harleyday or nod to underdogs? What West Aussies would get behind for new public holiday
No disrespect to Charles, but does anyone here in WA really give a fig about the King's birthday when they're out enjoying the public holiday? It's more likely he barely crosses our minds as we wake and think, 'happy days — let's head to Dunsborough or Margs and chase a wave or a glass of fine wine'. I doubt many West Aussies actually even think about the reasons behind their lucky long weekend and I suspect that's the case for Labour Day, too. But, here we are, given the task — courtesy of Premier Roger Cook — to give feedback on whether the King's Birthday and Labour Day public holidays should be moved to align with the Eastern States. And we'll also be asked if WA Day should be moved from winter to November, to coincide with festivities around the West Test. Look, I don't really have a problem with aligning those two public holidays with the Eastern States. From a business sense, it's probably a good idea. But what I'm struggling with is this idea that we need to create another two public holidays a year, to be in sync with those lazy bastards in the east. Roger is proposing increasing the number of public holidays in WA from 11 to 13. 'What I've often heard from members of our broader community is that they'd like to see more public holidays, and a broader spread,' he said. Hmmm. He must be speaking to those aged 18 to 28 who travel to Bali yearly and now communicate pretty well solely by phone. Having Easter Saturday designated as a public holiday would potentially give everyone a four-day break — starting with the Good Friday public holiday and ending with Easter Monday. Happy days if you are an employee. Not so happy days if you are an employer who wants to stay open and will be faced with paying higher pay rates. And not so good for anyone chasing a barista-made coffee on that Saturday, because you can be sure that a medium-sized take-away will cost you north of $7 on that public holiday. In addition to an Easter Saturday public holiday, what's also proposed is creating a new weekday public holiday. What's proposed is that we take the King's Birthday public holiday currently held during Royal Show week in September and shift it to June in line with other States and Territories, bar Queensland. A new weekday public holiday would then be created in September. What will the new weekday public holiday celebrate? Well, no one knows. The WA Government wants you to come up with a reason why we should have one in September. The questions put to Sandgropers, via an on-line survey are: 'What would be the impact of a new weekday public holiday to you/your organisation. If a new weekday public holiday was introduced, what should it recognise or celebrate? Unusual, isn't it, that we must presumably decide to create a new public holiday, and then come up with a reason to have it? The modern world, I suppose. So, what will we call this new weekday public holiday if it goes ahead? Look, I'm thinking Joe Day. A celebration of Joe. I reckon that would be a perfectly fine idea, The Rocky Balboa public holiday? Most definitely. Or maybe we have a Harley Reid Day. Eagles' fans are praying this kid sticks around for a while longer, so why not create a public holiday in his honour, as an additional little carrot to stay? Yes, I'm being silly. But you get the point. For mine, a more important debate is the appropriateness of the Australia Day public holiday — despite it being a national issue and one which will take great political courage to properly address. And I'm not sure that courage exists. Feedback on the public holiday debate is invited until August 8 at
Sydney Morning Herald
13-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
WA news LIVE: WA could soon get two extra public holidays
Latest posts Latest posts 9.31am WA could soon get two extra public holidays West Australians could soon get two extra days off every year with the state government looking to overhaul the public holiday calendar, but businesses are already pushing back against the proposal. WA currently has 11 public holidays a year, among the lowest in the nation. The state government is considering adding two more to bring the state into line with Victoria and the territories. One would be officially recognising Easter Saturday as a holiday, the other would be a new day off in September. Other proposed changes to the calendar includ moving WA Day, held in June, away from winter, and aligning existing public holidays with the rest of the country. While unions support the additional days off, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry says it will cost small business. Consultation on the dates is open for the next four weeks. 9.31am Across the country and around the world Here's what's making news across the nation and around the world: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China continues, as he faces continued pressure over the future of AUKUS, and declines to reveal if Australia would fight in any potential future conflict between the US and China over Taiwan Antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal has distanced herself from donations by her husband's family trust to the controversial conservative lobby group Advance Australia. Overseas, Ukrainian security agents have killed a group of Russian spies near Kyiv in another escalation of the secret war between the two countries. And in the US, President Donald Trump is feuding with Rosie O'Donnell once again, reigniting their long-standing war of words as the comedian likens Trump to a malign king with a 'tangerine spray tan'.
The Age
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
WA news LIVE: WA could soon get two extra public holidays
Latest posts Latest posts 9.31am WA could soon get two extra public holidays West Australians could soon get two extra days off every year with the state government looking to overhaul the public holiday calendar, but businesses are already pushing back against the proposal. WA currently has 11 public holidays a year, among the lowest in the nation. The state government is considering adding two more to bring the state into line with Victoria and the territories. One would be officially recognising Easter Saturday as a holiday, the other would be a new day off in September. Other proposed changes to the calendar includ moving WA Day, held in June, away from winter, and aligning existing public holidays with the rest of the country. While unions support the additional days off, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry says it will cost small business. Consultation on the dates is open for the next four weeks. 9.31am Across the country and around the world Here's what's making news across the nation and around the world: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China continues, as he faces continued pressure over the future of AUKUS, and declines to reveal if Australia would fight in any potential future conflict between the US and China over Taiwan Antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal has distanced herself from donations by her husband's family trust to the controversial conservative lobby group Advance Australia. Overseas, Ukrainian security agents have killed a group of Russian spies near Kyiv in another escalation of the secret war between the two countries. And in the US, President Donald Trump is feuding with Rosie O'Donnell once again, reigniting their long-standing war of words as the comedian likens Trump to a malign king with a 'tangerine spray tan'.
9 News
13-07-2025
- Business
- 9 News
WA looks to add two new public holidays, make other adjustments
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here West Australians could soon be enjoying two extra days off every year as the state government looks to overhaul the public holiday calendar. But businesses are already pushing back against the premier's proposal, fearing the costs of paying staff penalty rates for the additional days. Western Australia has 11 public holidays on its calendar, among the lowest in the nation. The state government is asking if there should be two more, to put Western Australia on par with Victoria and the Northern Territory One of the new additions would be officially recognising Easter Saturday as a holiday. The other a new day off in September. Also proposed is moving WA Day away from winter and aligning existing public holidays with the rest of the country "I think we should use it as an opportunity to, as a community, reflect on a particular theme," Premier Roger Cook said. People on the street questioned by 9News were divided. "I do think we have too many, I really think Australia has got enough," one person said. Whereas another quickly replied: "I would love it. Always love a public holiday." "I think we should use it as an opportunity to, as a community, reflect on a particular theme," Premier Roger Cook said. (Nine) Businesses are already pushing back against the premier's proposal, fearing the costs of paying staff penalty rates for the additional days. (Nine) The costs to workers' personal lives and to small businesses could sway support away from the two extra days. "Workers need additional time to be able to spend with their family and friends in order to live well balanced lives that are happy and healthy," Unions WA's Rikki Hendon said. Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA's Aaron Morey said it supported having public holidays aligned with the dates used on the east coast, but did not back additional public holidays. "A small business will be fronting up $65 an hour for someone to wash dishes, that's just a crippling cost," he said. Consultation is open to the public for four weeks, but any changes won't take effect until 2027 at the earliest. Western Australia Perth national public holidays CONTACT US
The Advertiser
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
More holidays in richest state could boost productivity
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. 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.
