Australia’s new public holiday date revealed

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese answered the question on every Australian’s mind – will we get a public holiday to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth?

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed Australians will be given a day off to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

A National Day of Mourning for the late monarch has been declared for September 22, the Thursday after Mr Albanese returns from the Queen’s funeral in London.

“It will be a one-off national public holiday. That’s to allow people to pay their respects for the passing of Queen Elizabeth,” the Prime Minister told the ABC.

“I spoke to all Premiers and chief ministers yesterday and I'm writing to them formally this morning, they will have received their letters by now. They have all agreed that it’s appropriate that it be a one-off national public holiday.”

On September 22 there will be a public holiday for the National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty The Queen.

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) September 10, 2022

In a quirk of timing, Victorians, who already have a public holiday for the AFL Grand Final on the Friday, will be the big winners with a four day weekend.

Mr Albanese and Governor-General David Hurley will fly to London on Thursday to attend the Queen’s funeral, which Buckingham Palace confirmed would take place at Westminster Abbey on September 19.

Prior to the State Funeral, the Queen will Lie-in-State in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects.

Anthony Albanese confirmed the details on Sunday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The National Day of Mourning will coincide with the national memorial service, to be held at Parliament Houses' Great Hall.

State and territory leaders have been invited to the service, which will mark the end of Australia’s observation period for the Queen’s death.

A minute’s silence will follow at 11am.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton confirmed he supported the decision to grant the one-off public holiday.

“I would support the public holiday … I think the way in which the government has responded has been very professional, entirely appropriate and not just the Prime Minister, but the Premiers, the chief ministers, others, (and) dignitaries,” he said.

It follows backlash from the public after it was revealed Australia’s parliamentarians would given next week off after the Prime Minister suspended parliament.

Official protocols ordered the parliament, which was due to sit next week, to be adjourned for at least 15 days “out of respect” to the late monarch.

The hefty hiatus is more than the 10 days allotted to UK parliamentarians.

“What? How can we afford that? Why do they need 15 days off, fully paid? No employee in the country would ever get that,” one person commented on Twitter.

“Get back to work! The country is facing multiple crises,” another said.

Speaking on Sunday, Mr Albanese confirmed MPs and Senators will make up for the lost sitting days, where the government was expected to introduce its landmark anti-corruption body legislation.

“We will make up the four sitting days … protocols required the automatic cancellation, but we want to make up those days,” the Prime Minister said.

“We will work through the potential dates. One of the days will be devoted to people being able to give their condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth.”

On Sunday, King Charles III was officially proclaimed the head of state of Australia.

Originally published as Australia’s new public holiday date revealed