It's Official - Half Day Holiday On New Year's Eve

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Industrial Relations

Media Statement - 16 December 1999

The holiday on New Year's Eve from midday is now law in the Territory following its gazettal yesterday Labor Shadow Industrial Relations Minister Wayne Berry said today.

Mr Berry introduced a bill on 20th October 1999 to amend the Holidays Act to provide a half-day holiday on New Year's Eve. The bill was passed on 24th November despite Chief Minister Kate Carnell's opposition to this move to allow Canberrans to enjoy this year's special New Year's Eve.

"The Carnell Government has recognised the importance of this New Year's Eve by allocating $500,000 to celebrate it, I moved to make sure that workers get the time to prepare for the celebrations.

"The ACT Government uses consistency with NSW whenever it's bad news for ACT taxpayers. Now the Assembly has taken an opportunity to endorse a move to consistency which gives a positive result for ACT residents, in spite of the Carnell Government's opposition.

"Workers in a strong bargaining position have been able to negotiate significant penalty payments for working on New Year's Eve. My bill creates a level playing field where all workers, especially those in a weaker bargaining position, either get the time off or receive the relevant award penalty for a public holiday while the rest of us are enjoying ourselves.

"All too often the Chief Minister claims that the ACT economy is booming, it's about time ACT workers got to feel the benefits of the improvements claimed by the Chief Minister," Mr Berry concluded.