Extra public holiday on the cards for educators in Queensland

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services who offer care for children on Christmas Eve are being encouraged to share their opinions with the Queensland Government, who are presently exploring the idea of making Christmas Eve a public holiday from 6pm – a time when many services are still open. 

Queensland Premier Anna Palaszczuk said that for many people, the night before Christmas was “just as important as the day itself” and that those who are asked to work on Christmas Eve should receive “proper compensation” in lieu of missing out on opportunities to share that time with family and friends. 

“Making it a public holiday would give those who have to work like essential services staff, hospitality workers and shop employee’s better pay for doing so,” Ms Palaszczuk said. 

Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace wants employers, employees and the wider community to have their say during the next 28 days of public consultation on the proposed change.

“For so many people the Christmas season begins on Christmas Eve and a part-day public holiday from 6pm and covering the six hours to 12 midnight on this date would recognise the historic importance of this special time,” Ms Grace said.

In the event that the proposal progresses, Queensland would be the third Australian jurisdiction to implement this measure, with South Australia and the Northern Territory making similar changes in 2012 and 2016 respectively.

Noting that several industries and sectors, including ECEC, would be affected by a part-day Christmas Eve public holiday, Ms Grace and Ms Palaszczuk encouraged “everyone to have their say on this proposed change”.

Subject to public consultation, the Palaszczuk Government hopes to make the necessary legislative change for the special holiday to take effect from 24 December 2019. 

Interested parties can have their say by making written submissions (which must be received by 4pm Monday, 2 September 2019) to:

Email:  [email protected]

Post: Christmas Eve Part-Day Public Holiday Consultation

Office of Industrial Relations  

GPO Box 69

Brisbane QLD 4001