Anthony Albanese calls for ‘common sense’ as criticism over Queen’s public holiday continues

Criticism is mounting over the snap public holiday to commemorate the life of the late monarch, but the Prime Minister is calling for “common sense”.

Anthony Albanese has called for “common sense” to prevail as he is forced to defend next week’s national public holiday to commemorate the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The Prime Minister Albanese garnered the support of state and territory leaders in announcing next Thursday, September 22, would be a public holiday following his return from the UK for the late monarch’s funeral – as has been protocol for decades.

But hospitality and medical industry leaders have been among the loudest critics of the snap holiday, saying it would have a myriad of consequences.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Governor-General David Hurley will travel to the United Kingdom for the Queen’s funeral. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Melbourne doctor Eric Levi told 2GB that some chemotherapy recipients now would not be able to receive their medication next Thursday because there would no longer be enough doctors and nurses on-board.

But Mr Albanese said he was sure “common sense” would prevail.

“This is not a declaration that no one is allowed to do anything,” Mr Albanese told Nine Radio.

“I’m sure with a bit of common sense, these issues can be worked through.”

Mr Albanese has defended the public holiday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Hospitality and retail industry leaders, however, have criticised the public holiday, saying it would cost them “too much” to pay staff unexpected public holiday rates after a tumultuous two years.

Mr Albanese said those who did open for the public holiday would be met with many Australians wanting to be “out and about … talking about the contribution, the life of service that Queen Elizabeth has given to Australia”.

“There will be an enormous amount of activity on that day, just as there is on days like Boxing Day or on Australia Day,” Mr Albanese said.

“This is a major global event. It’s important that you consider the counterfactual – which is the opportunity that this will give people who want to celebrate and commemorate the life and service of Queen Elizabeth II.”

The national remembrance day will be an ‘opportunity for Australians to talk about the contributions of Queen Elizabeth’, Mr Albanese says. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

As to why the public holiday is on a Thursday, as opposed to a Monday or Friday, Mr Albanese said it was in line with protocols that had been in place for “decades”.

“It indicates that the national remembrance day should be the day after the Governor-General and the Prime Minister return from London,” he said.

“These aren’t things that were put in place under my prime ministership – this has been worked out over many, many years.”

Originally published as Anthony Albanese calls for ‘common sense’ as criticism over Queen’s public holiday continues