Next year Anzac Day falls on Saturday, April 25, but the ACT government has confirmed the public holiday will be observed two days later on Monday, April 27.

“Anzac Day will always be commemorated on April 25, and all commemorative activities will occur on the Saturday as usual,” says Industrial Relations Minister Pettersson.

“Moving the observance of the public holiday to the Monday is an administrative change that doesn’t change the meaning of Anzac Day.”

However Canberra Business Chamber chief Greg Harford says shifting the public holiday entitlements from Saturday to Monday does little other than create extra costs for business at a time when many businesses are already facing challenging times.

“This is not just an administrative change – it drives real cost to the economy. While people who work Monday to Friday will enjoy an extra public holiday next year as a result of the decision, it comes at a substantive cost to private sector employers. The practice is out of step with… most other states, and does not support improved productivity here in the ACT.

“The Chamber provided feedback to the ACT Government recommending against the idea and is disappointed in the Minister’s decision.”