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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/nov/25/victoria-declares-christmas-day-a-public-holiday-after-rethink
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| Victoria admits 'mistake', reinstates Christmas Day public holiday | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Victoria has reversed its decision not to declare Christmas Day a public holiday, bringing it into line with the other states and territories. | Victoria has reversed its decision not to declare Christmas Day a public holiday, bringing it into line with the other states and territories. |
| Victoria was the only state not to declare 25 December, which falls on a Sunday, as a public holiday, but the government changed its mind on Friday, meaning there will be three public holidays from 25 to 27 December. | Victoria was the only state not to declare 25 December, which falls on a Sunday, as a public holiday, but the government changed its mind on Friday, meaning there will be three public holidays from 25 to 27 December. |
| Now workers will get penalty rates and the right to expect a day off in lieu for all three. | Now workers will get penalty rates and the right to expect a day off in lieu for all three. |
| The small business minister, Philip Dalidakis, had come under fire from unions and some Labor party colleagues for the initial decision. | The small business minister, Philip Dalidakis, had come under fire from unions and some Labor party colleagues for the initial decision. |
| “Obviously I’ve taken the last few weeks to consider the position that I originally made in February,” he said on Friday. | “Obviously I’ve taken the last few weeks to consider the position that I originally made in February,” he said on Friday. |
| “I wish I was right all the time but the only person that’s right all the time is my wife in my household. | “I wish I was right all the time but the only person that’s right all the time is my wife in my household. |
| “I think it’s important that when you make a mistake, you put your hand up, acknowledge it and get on with life.” | “I think it’s important that when you make a mistake, you put your hand up, acknowledge it and get on with life.” |
| Trading restrictions will remain in place on Christmas Day, but not on the substitute public holiday, Tuesday 27 December. | Trading restrictions will remain in place on Christmas Day, but not on the substitute public holiday, Tuesday 27 December. |
| “Christmas is not like any other day,” Dalidakis said. “It is a special day for many Victorians and a day to spend more time with family and friends.” | “Christmas is not like any other day,” Dalidakis said. “It is a special day for many Victorians and a day to spend more time with family and friends.” |
| He said the public holiday, which takes Victoria’s total to 14 this year, would cost the public and private sectors about $35m. But the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it was more like $100m. | He said the public holiday, which takes Victoria’s total to 14 this year, would cost the public and private sectors about $35m. But the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it was more like $100m. |
| “Adding yet another public holiday at this short notice is not only inconsistent but a slap in the face for many business owners and operators who have already paid out thousands to pay for two extra public holidays this year,” chief executive Mark Stone said. | “Adding yet another public holiday at this short notice is not only inconsistent but a slap in the face for many business owners and operators who have already paid out thousands to pay for two extra public holidays this year,” chief executive Mark Stone said. |
| Victoria also declared extra public holidays on Easter Sunday and AFL grand final eve. | Victoria also declared extra public holidays on Easter Sunday and AFL grand final eve. |
| The secretary of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association, Michael Donovan, was delighted at the change. | The secretary of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association, Michael Donovan, was delighted at the change. |
| “Our members have campaigned very hard to make the government change its mind,” he said. | “Our members have campaigned very hard to make the government change its mind,” he said. |