Libs demand Mali recalls parliament over Anzac Day wording in public holiday laws

The wording of a bill to enshrine the Anzac Day public holiday in law should spark urgent action from SA’s parliament, the Liberals say.

The RSL is urging Anzac Day be reinstated into wording of public holiday laws, saying this would be a simple measure to stop confusion.

RSL state president Dave Petersen said some veterans had been bewildered and upset by a Public Holiday bill, which passed parliament last week, that does not describe public holidays by their traditional names but instead by their dates.

The RSL wanted to send a clear message that nothing had changed and Anzac Day would forever be commemorated on April 25, Mr Petersen said.

“It’s pretty easy to put it back into legislation,” he said.

Opposition Leader David Speirs urged Premier Peter Malinauskas to recall parliament to “sort this public holiday mess out”.

“Peter Malinauskas must listen to the community outrage and admit Labor got this one wrong,” he said.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Opposition leader David Speirs. Picture: Dean Martin

The opposition attempted to amend the bill to rename Australia Day, Christmas Day and Anzac Day, but the changes were rejected by the government.

In the new Public Holiday bill, Australia Day is referred to as January 26, Christmas Day as December 25 and Anzac Day as April 25.

Holidays that fall on different days each year, such as Good Friday and Easter Sunday, are referred to by those names.

Industrial Relations Minister Kyam Maher said Anzac Day was protected by law as a public holiday, plus had a stand-alone Anzac Day Commemoration Act to ensure its acknowledgment on April 25.