- Published:
- Tuesday 17 February 2015
The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to make Easter Sunday a public holiday.
Commencing this year, the Easter Sunday public holiday will make sure shift workers who need to work on Easter Sunday are paid fairly.
Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, Adem Somyurek, said that the previous Liberal Government removed the Easter Sunday trading restrictions in 2011 but did not make it a public holiday. This forced many workers to take time away from their family without fair compensation.
Employees who are required to work on Easter Sunday will benefit from an increased penalty rate, rising from the ordinary Sunday rate to a public holiday penalty rate.
The Easter Sunday public holiday will be introduced via a notice in the Government Gazette, allowing Victorian businesses to put in place their trading arrangements and to organise employee rosters.
Preparation of a Regulatory Impact Statement – which includes a community engagement period – is currently underway for Easter Sunday and Grand Final Friday, and will be completed prior to Grand Final Friday 2015.
The Statement will provide quantitative and qualitative analysis of the benefits and costs of the two new public holidays.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, Adem Somyurek
“We’re keeping our word and introducing the Easter Sunday public holiday this year.”
“Easter Sunday is no ordinary Sunday. It is a time to spend with family, friends and loved ones. This is about making it fairer for those who have to spend that time at work instead.”