This Just In: NSW Residents Will Get an Extra Public Holiday in 2026 and 2027 — And People Aren't Happy About It
NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed an extra public holiday for the ANZAC Day weekend, but not everyone supports the trial change.
For years, NSW residents looked through jealous eyes at other Australian states enjoying a multitude of extra public holidays that weren't afforded (NSW typically observes just 11 public holidays per year, while other states observe as many as 15), but now the tables have turned, thanks to a calendar loophole. On Sunday, NSW Premier Chris Minns announced that NSW residents are getting an extra public holiday for the next two years.
Having announced the intention to explore it last month via press conference, Minns has confirmed that the Monday following ANZAC Day 2026 and 2027 would be a public holiday for NSW. Remembrance services will still fall on Saturday, April 25, 2026 — until this past weekend, only residents in WA and the ACT were being granted a public holiday on Monday, April 27.
"NSW has fewer public holidays than other states. Some other states have already moved to having an additional public holiday when ANZAC Day appears on the weekend, and we're going to follow suit for 2026 and 2027," Minns said in a video posted to his social media accounts.
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In the video, Minns acknowledges that this isn't a decision to mark the occasion with celebration, saying "[ANZAC Day] is probably the most important national day that we have". Minns also places faith in NSW to not abuse the holiday and its historical significance, adding, "I think NSW residents can, of course, be trusted with this public holiday in the sense that it won't detract from the solemnity and importance of the 25th of April."
The response has been mixed, with RSL NSW members and business owners in particular not fully on board (though the former is still mostly in favour), hesitations acknowledged by the Minns government. Then there's the court of public opinion. One Facebook commenter on Minns' video wrote "NO! ANZAC Day is a day of remembering those who have fought and gave their lives for Australia. It is not just another long weekend."
Another commenter added, "it would be a greater sign of respect for us to sacrifice one day of our weekend to remember the ANZACs' sacrifice," while a third pointed out public holidays aren't just a day off for some, asking pointedly, "not thinking about small businesses, families that rely on child care?"
No ANZAC Day services will be impacted over the weekend, and for those who may be wondering, two-up will still be illegal on the Monday, and every day in the year other than April 25th and November 11th.
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ANZAC Day will next fall on a weekend in 2032, so NSW residents will have a few years to consider how the changes impacted remembrance around the occasion before another opportunity arises.
Hear Minn's full commentary on the new public holiday via his social media accounts.
Image: iStock
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