The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) has welcomed the passage of legislation enabling Easter Sunday a public holiday in Tasmania, describing the reform as a historic win for working people and a significant step toward fairness for Tasmanian workers.
The reform follows the SDA’s Make Easter Sunday a Public Holiday in Tasmania campaign, which highlighted the fact that Tasmania was the only state or territory in Australia that did not recognise Easter Sunday as a public holiday. The campaign called for Tasmania to bring its laws into line with the rest of the country and ensure workers received the same rights and recognition as their interstate counterparts.
SDA Tasmania Secretary Joel Tynan said the outcome was the result of workers standing together, a strong public campaign, and determined parliamentary leadership.
“This is a historic win for Tasmanian workers,” Mr Tynan said.
“For too long, Tasmania was the only state in Australia without an Easter Sunday public holiday. Thousands of workers were missing out on rights and protections that workers elsewhere took for granted.”
“The SDA was proud to lead the Make Easter Sunday a Public Holiday campaign and to stand alongside members who worked hard to build the case for change.”
Mr Tynan said the campaign resonated with workers because Tasmania’s existing arrangements created an unfair two-tier system, where some workers received Easter Sunday public holiday benefits through enterprise agreements while many others did not.
“Workers doing the same job on the same day should be treated fairly. That simple principle was at the heart of this campaign.”
“This reform means more workers will have access to public holiday pay, public holiday protections and greater choice about working on Easter Sunday.”
Mr Tynan acknowledged the critical role played by Opposition Leader Josh Willie and the Tasmanian Labor Party in delivering the reform through Parliament.
“This victory would not have been possible without the leadership shown by Josh Willie and the Tasmanian Labor team, who took this issue into Parliament and fought hard to secure this reform,” Mr Tynan said.
“The SDA led the campaign, Labor led the parliamentary fight, and together we’ve delivered a win for Tasmanian workers.”
“I also thank all Members of Parliament who supported the Bill and recognised that Tasmanian workers deserve the same rights and recognition as workers in every other Australian jurisdiction.”
The SDA said the change would particularly benefit workers in retail, fast food, pharmacy, warehousing, hospitality and other industries that continue operating throughout the Easter period.
“Public holidays are about recognising the contribution workers make to our economy and our communities,” Mr Tynan said.
“They provide valuable time for family, community and rest, while ensuring workers who do work are properly compensated.”
The SDA noted that many Tasmanian businesses already pay Easter Sunday public holiday rates through enterprise agreements and that Easter Sunday has operated successfully as a public holiday across every other Australian jurisdiction for many years.
“This reform is fair, practical and long overdue,” Mr Tynan said.
“Tasmania is no longer the exception.”
“Today belongs to the thousands of workers who supported this campaign, shared their stories and stood up for a fairer outcome.”
“This is a win for workers, a win for fairness and a win for Tasmania.”
ENDS
Media Contact: Joel Tynan Secretary, SDA Tasmania
1300 152 851