Tasmanian Labor will introduce legislation this week to make Easter Sunday a public holiday, a move the state government says would cost jobs.
Tasmania is the only state in Australia where Easter Sunday is not recognised as a public holiday.
Labor leader Josh Willie said the reform was about “fairness” for workers in retail, hospitality, aged care and disability support.
“It means that if you are working on Easter Sunday, you are properly recognised and properly paid,” Willie said.
“And at a time when cost-of-living pressures are hitting hard, that matters.”
He said Tasmanian workers were missing out on pay and conditions available to their mainland counterparts doing identical jobs.
But Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirmed the state government would oppose the bill when it comes before parliament.
Rockliff said small businesses could not absorb the penalty rates that come with public holiday status.
“People will lose their jobs as a result of that because small businesses cannot afford the penalty provisions of Easter, therefore they’ll close their businesses and no one will be employed,” he said.
“I would prefer to see people employed on Easter Sunday rather than not employed.”
The business lobby has echoed the premier’s concerns.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting chief executive Colleen Reardon said firms were already under pressure from rising costs.
She said businesses had told the TCCI they would not trade at all if Easter Sunday became a public holiday.
Tasmanian Small Business Council chief executive Robert Mallett called the proposal “completely unreasonable”, noting there were already two public holidays over the Easter period.
The Greens, meanwhile, have signalled support, while unions have backed the push.
Parliament returns this week, with debate on the legislation expected in the coming days.
