The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) has welcomed the passage of legislation through the Tasmanian Parliament declaring Easter Sunday a public holiday, describing the reform as a historic victory for workers and the culmination of a long-running campaign for fairness.
Following the Bill’s third reading in the Legislative Council today, the legislation will now be presented to the Governor of Tasmania for Royal Assent before formally becoming law. Once enacted, Tasmania will finally join every other state and territory in Australia in recognising Easter Sunday as a public holiday from 2027.
SDA Tasmania Secretary Joel Tynan said today’s result marked a significant milestone for workers across retail, fast food, pharmacy, warehousing, hospitality and other industries that continue operating throughout the Easter period.
“For too long, Tasmania stood alone as the only state in Australia that did not recognise Easter Sunday as a public holiday,” Mr Tynan said.
“Today, Parliament has taken the final legislative step to correct that injustice.”
“This reform recognises the thousands of workers who give up time with their families on Easter Sunday to keep businesses open and communities running.”
“When workers sacrifice an important day with their loved ones, they deserve to be properly recognised and fairly compensated for that contribution.”
The reform follows the SDA’s successful Make Easter Sunday a Public Holiday in Tasmania campaign, which highlighted the fact that Tasmanian workers were missing out on rights and recognition already enjoyed by workers elsewhere in Australia.
Mr Tynan said the outcome demonstrated what could be achieved when workers stood together and made their voices heard.
“This victory belongs to the thousands of workers who backed this campaign, shared their stories and stood up for a fairer Tasmania,” he said.
“The SDA was proud to lead this campaign and ensure workers had a strong voice throughout the debate.”
Mr Tynan thanked Opposition Leader Josh Willie and the Tasmanian Labor Party for championing the reform through Parliament.
“Labor listened to workers, took up this cause and delivered the parliamentary leadership needed to secure this change,” Mr Tynan said.
“We thank Josh Willie and the Labor team for standing with working people and ensuring Tasmania finally catches up with the rest of the country.”
Mr Tynan also expressed disappointment that Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Workplace Relations Minister Eric Abetz and Liberal MPs opposed the legislation.
“It is disappointing that the Liberal Government voted against a reform that will put more money in the pockets of thousands of Tasmanian workers at a time when cost-of-living pressures remain a real challenge for many families,” Mr Tynan said.
“Workers in Tasmania deserve the same rights and recognition as workers everywhere else in Australia.”
“This is a practical and sensible reform that already operates successfully across every other Australian jurisdiction.”
The SDA said the change would provide greater workplace protections, increased public holiday entitlements and fairer treatment for workers required to work over the Easter period.
“Easter Sunday is a significant day for many Tasmanians and public holidays are about recognising the contribution workers make to our economy and our communities,” Mr Tynan said.
“Once Royal Assent is granted, Tasmania will no longer be the exception.”
“From 2027, every worker in Australia will receive the same recognition for working on Easter Sunday, including workers here in Tasmania.”
“This is a win for workers, a win for fairness and a win for Tasmania.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Joel Tynan Secretary, SDA Tasmania
[email protected]