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PM Albanese says ‘it’s up to workers’ whether to work public holiday or not

Anthony Albanese has made a bold call about Australia Day and what it means for workers.

Woolworths workers given the option to work on Australia Day

Anthony Albanese says “it’s fine” to give workers – whether in the government or private sector – a choice as to whether they work Australia Day or not.

The Albanese government overturned the Morrison government’s short-lived ban on public servants working on January 26.

Employees can now opt for another day off if they do not want to take the public holiday.

The Prime Minister told Kyle & Jackie O on Friday morning that giving workers the choice was about flexibility.

“It’s up to each of the departments, like it’s up to employers in other areas,” he said.

Public servants will have the choice to work Australia Day and take the public holiday another time. Picture: Newswire/Gary Ramage
Public servants will have the choice to work Australia Day and take the public holiday another time. Picture: Newswire/Gary Ramage

“So for some employers are saying if you want to work Australia Day, you can have another day off.

“And I think that’s fine to have some flexibility in the system.

“I myself will have a very busy Australia Day. I have a full schedule, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Earlier this week, the government sought to downplay the move as any kind of political stunt, saying it instead reverted to how workplaces had operated on January 26 last year.

Shortly before the Morrison government entered caretaker mode in 2022, they had changed the legislation which allowed public servants to substitute official public holidays for religious or cultural reasons.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the move was about allowing flexibility. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the move was about allowing flexibility. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher – whose portfolio encompasses the public service, earlier this week said Australia Day was a “great day” but that people had their reasons for wanting to substitute the public holiday.

The Coalition said the move was a “deliberate undermining” of Australia’s national day.

Big businesses across the country have announced their intention to give employers flexibility over the public holiday.

Telstra, Woolworths, BHP, KPMG, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and numerous other companies are giving staff flexibility.

At a press conference earlier this week, Mr Albanese said it was “a matter between employers and their employees for discussion”.

Originally published as PM Albanese says ‘it’s up to workers’ whether to work public holiday or not

Read related topics:Anthony Albanese

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/work/pm-albanese-says-its-up-to-workers-whether-to-work-public-holiday-or-not/news-story/e48fdd37265901779194e35116c21bed