West Australians could soon be enjoying two extra days off every year as the state government looks to overhaul the public holiday calendar.
But businesses are already pushing back against the premier’s proposal, fearing the costs of paying staff penalty rates for the additional days.
Western Australia has 11 public holidays on its calendar, among the lowest in the nation.
Which Australian state has the most public holidays?
The state government is asking if there should be two more, to put Western Australia on par with Victoria and the Northern Territory
One of the new additions would be officially recognising Easter Saturday as a holiday. The other a new day off in September.
Also proposed is moving WA Day away from winter and aligning existing public holidays with the rest of the country
“I think we should use it as an opportunity to, as a community, reflect on a particular theme,” Premier Roger Cook said.
People on the street questioned by 9News were divided.
“I do think we have too many, I really think Australia has got enough,” one person said.
Whereas another quickly replied: “I would love it. Always love a public holiday.”
The costs to workers’ personal lives and to small businesses could sway support away from the two extra days.
“Workers need additional time to be able to spend with their family and friends in order to live well balanced lives that are happy and healthy,” Unions WA’s Rikki Hendon said.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA’s Aaron Morey said it supported having public holidays aligned with the dates used on the east coast, but did not back additional public holidays.
“A small business will be fronting up $65 an hour for someone to wash dishes, that’s just a crippling cost,” he said.
Consultation is open to the public for four weeks, but any changes won’t take effect until 2027 at the earliest.
