What will change for Queenslanders on upcoming National Day of Mourning public holiday

The federal government has announced a National Day of Mourning public holiday next week for the Queen’s death. Here’s everything that will change in light of the last-minute day off.

State Parliament has been recalled for an emergency sitting on Thursday to give Queenslanders a day off to mourn the Queen.

Leader of the House Yvette D’Ath confirmed the brief sitting from 9.30am was needed to legislate the National Day of Mourning for the following Thursday, September 22.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said arrangements would be similar to those for the Australia Day public holiday, with supermarkets, cafes and retail venues able to open.

Here’s what the holiday will mean for Queenslanders:

Will it be an ongoing holiday?

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the holiday would be a one-off public holiday to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

What happens to GP clinics and elective surgery?

Most GPs will close on the National Day of Mourning public holiday, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners warns.

The college’s Queensland chair Bruce Willett said: “It is not something we are happy about as it will leave doctors scrambling to fit in the cancelled patients on other days. At my clinic there are 350 patient bookings each day.

“It can be difficult to get appointments at some clinics and with it being school holidays parents are often keen to get their kids in.”

Queensland Health has not yet decided whether elective surgery will go ahead on the September 22 public holiday, despite the Australian Medical Association saying the decision was expected on Monday.

“A lot of people who have elective surgeries booked on that day and also outpatient appointments, we’re still waiting to hear from Queensland Health as to what’s going to happen – whether all those will go ahead or whether they will be postponed, bearing in mind that people who have been waiting for elective surgeries, they would already have plans with their families to look after their children or come look after them, and with their workplaces,” AMAQ chief Maria Boulton said.

“So these people would be eagerly awaiting to hear what’s going to happen.”

Dr Boulton said she had expected to hear from Queensland Health on Monday.

The doctor said she didn’t want to see people drop down the waiting list if their operation did not go ahead due to the unprecedented impromptu holiday.

More than 100 appointments are booked at some GP clinics around the state on the Thursday holiday.

“The Queensland Government is working through any impacts the public holiday will have on health service delivery” a Queensland Health spokesman said on Monday afternoon.

What happens to schools?

The public holiday falls in the first week of the September holidays for Queensland primary and high schools, meaning there won’t be any direct impact to students.

While essential workers will still be required to work in some cases, a spokesman for the Department of Education said given the timing of the announcement, individual Outside School Hours Care services may make a decision to operate on that day.

“Families requiring OSHC on this day are encouraged to speak with their provider,” he said.

Does bin collection continue?

Yes. A Brisbane Council spokeswoman confirmed that normal bin collection services will run on the day.

Will there be paid parking?

Parking meters won’t operate on Thursday September 22, as council parking metres never operate on public holidays.

However, there will still be a $5 public holiday parking charge that will apply at King George Square and Wickham Terrace car park.

Will public transport run?

Yes. Buses, CityCats and ferries will all run on the public holiday timetable.

However, standard event services will run two hours before and one hour after the Socceroos v New Zealand soccer match that night at Suncorp Stadium.

Will libraries be open?

No. All libraries will be closed on Thursday, September 22.

Will there be any council memorials held on Thursday September 22?

Brisbane City Council will fly flags at half-mast during the mourning period, all landmarks are lit in demure white lighting and condolence books are available at the City Hall foyer.

What happens to universities?

The public holiday falls within the last teaching week of a number of Queensland universities.

A spokeswoman for Griffith University said it would treat the day as a normal public holiday and “make adjustments as required”.

Meanwhile, CQUniversity will make “standard public holiday alterations” to scheduled classes.

“Some exceptions may apply to scheduled residential teaching activities so as not to disadvantage students, and affected participants will be consulted,” a spokeswoman said.

At the University of Queensland, teaching and learning activities will resume as timetabled on Friday September 23 after the holiday, but the libraries and study spaces will remain open on Thursday and online support will be available.

“The public holiday does not fall within a major exam period at UQ. Make-up classes and any assessments will be rescheduled as required and we expect that changes will be communicated to students on Tuesday,” a spokeswoman said.

And at QUT, arrangements are being worked through and the university said it would communicate directly with students. There would also be no impact on graduation ceremonies.

Originally published as What will change for Queenslanders on upcoming National Day of Mourning public holiday