PUBLIC HOLI-DAZE
Call to end holiday state of confusion
TASMANIA’S public holiday schedule is confusing and outdated say business leaders who argue the days off should be better aligned across the state.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said it’s frustrating for businesses and all Tasmanians should enjoy public holidays on the same day. But the government has ruled out an overhaul of holidays.
A REVIEW of Tasmania’s public holidays has all but ruled out any imminent overhaul of the system, but the business community has renewed calls to standardise the “confusing” schedule.
Southern Tasmanians enjoyed a regional public holiday on Monday for the Royal Hobart Regatta, while it was a normal day for the state’s North.
Tasmania has nine core public holidays, in addition to two other days off that fall on 12 different days depending on which part of the state you live in.
These holidays include Devonport Cup day, Recreation Day in the North, Hobart Show day and the Flinders and King Island shows.
In all, each region has 11 public holidays for the year.
To give one example, there are still public holiday for events such as the Devonport Show, even though that event is no longer held.
In October, the state government announced there would be no changes to the system of public holidays following a review.
But Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said there should be a rationalisation of public holidays to ensure Tasmanians could enjoy them on the same days.
“Our intention is not to reduce the number of holidays but consolidate them,’’ he said.
“We’ll continue our call to have some sense around this. We understand it will not necessarily be a popular decision.”
Mr Bailey said the system created confusion and frustration for statewide businesses when part of their workforces were required to work while the remainder were not.
A state government spokeswoman said the government decided not to make significant changes to statewide or local public holidays following a review last year.
“That is not to say there is no flexibility in the system, and we are happy to respond to requests where the community wants change, by following the process outlined in the Act,’’ the spokeswoman said.
“Most Tasmanians receive 11 public holidays a year, which is in line with other states and territories.
“Any decision to change local public holidays would require sufficient time for proper consultation with stakeholders and time for community members to plan for the impact of a change in the date.”
EVERYONE loves a day off work. It’s a time to kick back, enjoy some relaxation with family and friends. When combined with a weekend, it can also provide a chance to get away to a holiday shack or another part of the state.
As Hobart begins the week after the Regatta Day public holiday, other regions of the state would be forgiven for being a little confused about the reasons for the day off.
There is no doubt the Regatta once was a highlight on Hobart’s social calendar. The first Regatta was held in 1838 when Governor John and Lady Franklin arranged a day of competition on the River Derwent and its shores as a way to give Hobart citizens a day to relax. It became an annual event and historic photos from the 1940s show throngs lining the shore at the Regatta Grounds to watch the racing and take part in a day of festivities. In 1963, was a bumper year when the Queen and Prince Philip attended.
Even taking into account COVID caps on numbers, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of support for the day set aside to celebrate Hobart’s aquatic heritage and sports.
For many a glance skywards when the Roulettes buzz over the city is as much attention as they pay to the day.
In recent years an enthusiastic committee has worked hard to revitalise the event but the Regatta still struggles to draw the crowds. So then does it still warrant a public day off?
Last year the government announced a review of the state’s public holidays but ruled out an immediate overhaul of our calendar of days off. But the confusion surrounding them is bad for business.
There are a bamboozling number of public holidays in the state — nine core public holidays which everyone gets and then another two days off which fall on 12 different dates, depending on which part of the state you live in.
Most are timed to coincide with specific events — King and Flinders Island have a day off to celebrate agricultural shows, as does Launceston, Hobart and Burnie. Others don’t seem to make a lot of sense. Devonport has a show day holiday too, even though it no longer has a show.
Circular Head municipal area in the state’s far North-West gets a day off to attend Agfest which is held at Carrick just outside Launceston, some 200km away.
Some get a full day off for the Launceston Cup while others just get time off after 11am. Many of Tasmania’s bespoke public holidays are now outdated. Most of our days off happen in the first part of the year with just the Queen’s Birthday long-weekend in June, a show day off and Recreation Day (in the North) the only public holidays between Easter and Christmas.
It is time for an overhaul, not to reduce the number of public holidays, but to make them more logical and to better reflect modern times and work habits.