New South Wales residents could receive an additional public holiday in the coming years, according to Premier Chris Minns. The premier has indicated he is considering introducing the extra day off to address a disparity with other Australian states and territories.
Aligning with Other States on Public Holidays
Minns pointed out that NSW currently has the fewest public holidays in Australia, with just twelve scheduled for 2026. In comparison, Victoria, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory each have fourteen public holidays, while Western Australia and Tasmania have thirteen. South Australia and the Northern Territory lead the nation with fifteen public holidays each.
The premier specifically mentioned that Western Australia and the ACT already shift a public holiday to the following Monday when Anzac Day falls on a weekend. He believes NSW should adopt a similar approach to bring the state up to speed.
Respecting Anzac Day Commemorations
Chris Minns emphasised that any decision regarding an extra public holiday would only proceed with the support of the Returned and Services League (RSL). He intends to consult with the organisation to ensure their perspective is considered.
The premier stressed the importance of maintaining reverence for Anzac Day itself, which should always be commemorated on April 25. He expressed concern that an additional holiday on a Monday should not detract from the significance of the actual anniversary.
"I think most people have got a lot of reverence for Anzac Day," Minns told Triple M radio. "They respect it, they recognise that it's a time when we respect people who've died for the country."
He added, "I'd hate for that to happen and everyone kind of goes, 'commemorate it on the Monday'. We can't do that. It's got to be the 25th, that's hugely important."
Timing and Implementation
The proposed extra public holiday would specifically apply to years when Anzac Day falls on a weekend, which will occur in both 2026 and 2027. Minns indicated that conversations about implementing this change could begin as early as this year.
"We're underserved when it comes to public holidays, there's a lot more in every other state," the premier explained. "We're going to have a conversation about it for this year."
This potential policy change reflects ongoing discussions about work-life balance and public holiday entitlements across Australian jurisdictions. The premier's comments suggest a recognition that NSW residents currently receive fewer official days off compared to their counterparts in other parts of the country.
