Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has raised serious concerns about the financial impact on local businesses following the New South Wales Government’s decision to introduce an additional public holiday when ANZAC Day falls on a weekend.
Mr Dwyer said that while ANZAC Day is one of Australia’s most sacred national commemorations, the creation of an additional public holiday will impose significant costs on small and regional businesses already under pressure from rising wages, energy prices and insurance premiums.
“ANZAC Day is about honouring the service and sacrifice of our veterans. It is not about creating extra red tape or financial strain for hardworking local businesses,” Mr Dwyer said.
Under the Government’s change, when April 25 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute public holiday will be observed on the following Monday.
Mr Dwyer said that while well-intentioned, the policy will require many businesses to pay public holiday penalty rates or close their doors, resulting in lost revenue and higher operating costs.
“In regional communities like ours, small family run cafés, retailers and tourism operators don’t have the margins of big city corporations. An additional public holiday means higher wage bills and difficult staffing decisions,” Mr Dwyer said.
Mr Dwyer acknowledged the importance of ensuring workers are fairly treated but questioned whether adequate consultation had occurred with the small business community prior to the decision.
“I support commemorating ANZAC Day with the respect and dignity it deserves. However, the Government must also recognise the economic reality facing small and medium enterprises in our region,” Mr Dwyer said.
“I am calling on the NSW Government to provide clear guidance to businesses and consider support measures to offset the added financial burden.
