More than 125,000 visits were made to Canberra’s public libraries on Sundays in the 19 months before the ACT Government ended Sunday opening, according to figures obtained by the Canberra Liberals.

Answers to estimates questions from shadow government services minister Peter Cain show 125,069 Sunday visits were recorded between July 1, 2024 and February 11 this year.

Tuggeranong recorded the most with 37,030 visits, followed by Gungahlin with 35,293, Belconnen with 22,708, Dickson with 19,749 and Woden with 10,289.

Mr Cain said the figures called into question the government’s decision to close all ACT public libraries on Sundays.

“Sunday might not have been the busiest day, but 125,069 visits is still significant,” he said.

Mr Cain also challenged Government Services Minister Tara Cheyne’s emphasis on staff conditions in defending the changes, saying estimates answers confirmed library staff had not voted on Sunday opening.

According to the government response quoted by Mr Cain, the staff vote concerned changes to rostering principles rather than library opening arrangements, and staff were told it was “not about the June 2026 ACT Government decision regarding library opening hours”.

“Staff voted on rostering principles. They did not vote to shut Canberra’s libraries on Sundays,” Mr Cain said.

The government announced changes to library opening hours in June, including the end of Sunday opening across the ACT.

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