Want Queensland Day to be a thing, Premier? Make it a holiday

If Premier David Crisafulli was serious about making Queensland Day memorable he’d give us 50c XXXX pints and a day off, writes state political editor Hayden Johnson. HAVE YOUR SAY

Premier David Crisafulli should make Queensland Day a public holiday. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Premier David Crisafulli wants to put the patriotic maroon spirit back into Queensland after a decade of dull celebrations under Labor – probably.

While June 6 has been Queensland Day for 166 years, you’d be hard pressed finding 16 people in Queen Street Mall who knew it.

Premier Crisafulli wants that to change.

On Monday he revealed Queensland Day will this year be celebrated with a focus on the best of local – fish and chips, coffee, beach and beer.

For all the patriotic flag waving about all the things “to be proud of and celebrate” on Queensland Day – it’s a bit of a let down.

Premier David Crisafulli at Bundaberg Brewed Drinks to launch the ‘All the Best’ campaign to celebrate Queenslanders favourite produce and places this Queensland Day. Photo: Supplied by the Office of the Premier.

The leader of our state dragged himself to Bundaberg, away from dealing with the health, crime, housing and cost of living crises to urge Queenslanders to vote for their favourite Bahn Mi.

This isn’t a crack at the Queensland pride Mr Crisafulli is now preaching to the masses.

But if he really wants our state day to be memorably marked in maroon on the calendar it must become a public holiday.

Queensland Day should be celebrated with a double-header NRL and AFL local derby, recognition for quiet local heroes, community cricket in the park and – as one senior government official joked — 50c XXXX pints.

The populist move is too late for this year and for the next two years Queensland Day is on a weekend.

Premier David Crisafulli pours a beer at Chute 1 pub, Longreach. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Tuesday, June 6 2028 – four months before the state election – should be a public holiday to celebrate the best of this great state.

Giving workers another day off could hurt the government’s drive to boost productivity, however.

Perhaps the LNP could cancel the May Labour Day public holiday and rebrand it on June 6 as Queensland Day.

That would make it about as unifying as Australia Day.

Originally published as Want Queensland Day to be a thing, Premier? Make it a holiday