Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the decision to declare a public holiday scheduled for 22 September to commemorate the life of the Queen, which has sparked concerns about scheduled surgeries and potential disruptions for business.
Despite concern from medical and business groups about the ability to cope with the public holiday being called at such short notice, the prime minister said the one-off day on September 22 was the appropriate response to the death of the monarch.
“It is important that we acknowledge the contribution of Queen Elizabeth II over such a long period of time,” he said.
“This isn’t a declaration that no one’s allowed to do anything on Thursday, September 22.”
While the Australian Medical Association is concerned about the impact on surgeries, with hospitals already under strain due to a backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister said operations and other critical care would still be able to take place.
“I’m sure that these issues, with a bit of common sense, can be worked through,” he said.
“If someone needs chemotherapy on that day, of course they should receive it.”
He then moved to alleviate concerns from business groups that many would not be able to open due to penalty rates.
“There’ll be an enormous amount of activity on that day, I should imagine, just as there is on days like Boxing Day or on Australia Day, which are both public holidays as well,” he said.
The day of national mourning for the Queen will include a memorial service in the Great Hall of Parliament House.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard says people booked for surgery on September 22 should assume it will proceed unless they are contacted by the hospital concerned.
The NSW government is already spending almost $1 billion to fast-track elective surgeries because of the backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Hazzard has instructed NSW Health to encourage all local health districts to retain as much of their planned elective surgery as possible, subject to staff availability.
In South Australia, retail trading hours will be similar to Anzac Day, which means shops must stay closed until midday as a mark of respect.
“Given the unavoidably late notice of this decision, there will be some disruption for some South Australians,” Premier Peter Malinauskas said in a statement.
Larger shops in Adelaide and the suburbs will be able to open from 12pm to 9pm and workers will receive public holiday penalty rates, in accordance with employment agreements. SA schools and banks will be closed.
The SA government said it was still working through arrangements in public hospitals to ensure as many elective surgeries can take place as possible.
But it noted this was being complicated by the closure of schools and childcare centres, impacting health workers’ ability to go to work.
Patients with bookings at SA public hospitals for September 22 are being told by the government not to contact their hospital until arrangements are finalised, which will be by Friday.
In Victoria, the day will be a normal trading day, as is the case for Grand Final Friday, Boxing Day and other public holidays.
“Employers and employees seeking information about their rights and responsibilities regarding public holidays should seek advice from their business organisations or relevant unions,” the government said.
The Victorian government also announced the public holiday to mark the sovereign’s birthday on the second Monday in June will now be known as the King’s Birthday, instead of the Queen’s Birthday.
Queensland’s health department said on Monday it was still seeking advice on surgery and other arrangements.
With AAP