Festive holiday rate hits business

CAIRNS’ already struggling small business owners have been dealt another blow via the State Government’s decision to make the hours from 6pm on Christmas Eve subject to public holiday rates.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said the proposal had attracted strong community support during public consultation. But Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Nick Loukas said the move was “ridiculous”.

“It is anti-employment and what it’s going to do is have the effect of making businesses reduce the amount of staff they put on and force business owners to work themselves,” he said. “I don’t see the logic to it.

“It’s just more pressure on business owners who already can’t absorb the rising costs they’re facing.”

Mr Loukas said while he was confident service levels wouldn’t be compromised by the changes, that was a “potential” side effect of the legislation.

State estimates indicated the changes could lead to extra wage costs for the public and private sector of up to $136.9 million a year.

But a Queensland Unions spokesman said many Queenslanders missed out on Christmas Eve with family and friends because they were “working to keep communities safe and businesses operating over the holiday season”.

“These are our nurses, paramedics, firefighters and police officers, hospitality, retail, warehousing and fast food workers,” he said.

Ms Grace said of the 1779 submissions received during the public consultation period, 1271, or 71 per cent, were in favour of creating the public holiday.

Queensland will be the third Australian jurisdiction to implement a Christmas Eve part day public holiday after South Australia and the Northern Territory.