Anzac Day 2026 exposes border-driven policy reversal in the ACT
The ACT government has declared Anzac Day 2026 a public holiday after reversing an earlier plan that would have left it the only state or territory not to mark Saturday, April 25 as a holiday. The U-turn followed meetings with shopkeeper union delegates and a chorus of practical and commemorative objections.
Anzac Day 2026: What changed in policy?
Verified facts: The ACT government announced that Anzac Day is now a public holiday after facing pressure from unions. Industrial Relations Minister Michael Pettersson announced the reversal after meeting with shopkeeper union delegates. The government had initially planned not to treat Saturday, April 25 as a public holiday because the date falls on a weekend, a position that would have left the ACT alone among jurisdictions.
Minister Michael Pettersson framed the change as reflecting “the realities of our shared regional workforce and the feedback we’ve received from stakeholders. ” ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said aligning with the neighbouring jurisdiction was important, noting the territory’s unique position with many families living and working across the border. Chief Minister Barr said that “declaring both Saturday and Monday as public holidays respects the significance of the day and provides clarity for the community. “
Who pushed back and why?
Verified facts: The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association criticized the decision not to declare April 25 a public holiday as disrespectful, particularly for veterans and loved ones who work weekends. NSW/ACT branch secretary Bernie Smith argued that staff could not reasonably refuse to work in order to attend commemorative events if the day were not a holiday. Smith also highlighted that many shops traditionally open after marches finish and would therefore not receive penalty rates despite potentially working fewer hours.
Bernie Smith pointed to precedent, noting the ACT kept Anzac Day as a public holiday on a weekend in previous years. RSL ACT did not take a position on whether the day should be a public holiday but encouraged commemoration on April 25; media officer John King said the government had assumed employers would allow veterans time off to attend marches. Soldier On chief executive officer Paul Singer emphasized the importance of enabling people to observe the day in a way that is meaningful to them, whether on the day itself or through other moments of reflection.
What does the reversal mean for communities and workplaces?
Analysis: When these verified facts are viewed together, the reversal appears driven by two intertwined pressures: practical cross-border workforce considerations and the representational interests of unions and veterans’ advocates. The government’s stated aim of alignment with the neighbouring jurisdiction addresses a concrete administrative friction for families who live on one side of the border and work or study on the other, as Chief Minister Andrew Barr noted. Union concerns highlight potential workplace impacts—time off to attend commemorations and the application of penalty rates for hours worked on the date.
The decision to declare both Saturday and Monday as public holidays was presented as a measure to reduce confusion and provide clear arrangements for employers and employees. That framing responds directly to the union point that, without a public holiday on April 25, staff who wished to attend marches could find themselves unable to refuse work without penalty and that some retail operators who open after marches would not receive penalty rates despite altered hours.
Uncertainties remain about how employers will operationalize the change in practice on the ground and whether formal guidance will be issued to clarify leave arrangements for veterans and other staff seeking time to commemorate. Verified statements from the RSL ACT and Soldier On underline that commemoration can take varied forms, which suggests implementation should accommodate different needs.
Accountability call: Given the policy reversal rests on cross-border workforce realities and workplace equity concerns identified by the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association and union delegates, the ACT government should publish clear, operational guidance for employers and employees to remove ambiguity about entitlements and rostering on Anzac Day. Public clarity will be necessary to ensure the declared holiday achieves the stated aims of respect for commemoration and border-spanning workforce clarity.
Final note: The decision to make Anzac Day 2026 a public holiday in the ACT underscores how regional borders, workplace rules and commemorative practice collide — and why transparent rules are needed to honour the day while protecting workers’ ability to attend it.
