NT government declares Easter Sunday a public holiday
The Territory has a new public holiday for this year, but it has the NT divided.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TERRITORIANS have had a mixed reaction to Easter Sunday being declared a public holiday, with some authorities calling it an unwanted burden on businesses.
On Wednesday, it was announced via the Government Gazette publication that Easter Sunday would be a public holiday this year.
The Gazette was signed by Public Employment Minister Paul Kirby.
It means Territory workers will be paid public holiday rates at two-and-a-half times the normal salary if they work on Easter Sunday.
The decision brings the Territory in line with Victoria, NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
Chamber of Commerce NT chief executive Greg Ireland described the announcement as “another burden for businesses”.
“We’re now the jurisdiction with the most public holidays in the country,” Mr Ireland said.
“We’re already hearing businesses are not going to open over Easter. All this is doing is hurting us. It’s coming to peak tourism season and all of a sudden a lot of businesses won’t offer services.”
Darwin City Retailers Association general manager Andrea Wicking also said the announcement was disappointing for businesses.
“It comes at time when businesses continue to struggle with the recovery and the additional burden of extra wages is adding further pressure,” Ms Wicking said.
“We anticipate that a number of businesses will choose to close the whole Easter weekend to avoid the additional burden on their finances.
“With retailers closed, it limits opportunities for locals to enjoy their city over a long weekend. This is not ideal when we are also trying to encourage interstate visitors to choose the Territory as a destination.”
INITIAL, 12PM WEDNESDAY: THE NT government has declared Easter Sunday to be a public holiday for 2022.
It means Territory workers will be paid public holiday rates if they work on Easter Sunday.
The decision brings the NT in line Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT and Western Australia in recognising Easter Sunday as a public holiday.
The news was met with celebration by SDA NT, the union representing retail and fast food workers but said permanent change was needed.
“With tons of Territorians feeling the pinch at the petrol pump and beyond, this announcement will make a huge difference to thousands of workers,” SDA NT director Shlok Sharma said.
“While announcements like this are welcome, a legislated fix is needed to fix the issue for
good.
“Our Public Holidays Act needs to change to cater for those who work weekends.”
Join the conversation
Cunningham: Sense must prevail to prevent an avoidable death
It’s sensible if an Aboriginal child must be removed from their parents, they be placed with a family member or another Indigenous family. But adhering to this principle at the expense of the child’s welfare, as has happened in the past, is madness.
Read more
Size matters as new incentive could land fishos more cash
There’s plenty of reasons to cast a line in February particularly with an exciting new twist to the Million Dollar Fish, which could see one lucky fisho walk away with an extra $40k.
Read more