Statutory Holidays Amendment (Central Coast Municipality) Bill 2026 (No 24)

Tuesday 1 September 2026

[6.29 p.m.]

Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Thank you. Just a brief contribution. And I also thank the member for Montgomery for bringing this forward, and for all the work that he's actually done. And the briefing this morning, it was really great. So, for many years we've heard that the Central Coast area has missed out on a public holiday that other communities enjoy. And this simply isn't about having an extra day off; it's about recognising the community and ensuring that people who live, work and contribute in the Central Coast receive equitable treatment.

As mentioned by the member, many businesses already provide this but it needs to be consistent. Public holidays provide an opportunity for families to spend time together, for communities to celebrate what makes them unique, and for local businesses and organisations to participate in shared events. When one area consistently misses out while others receive these opportunities year after year, an inequity develops.

Introducing a public holiday for this area would acknowledge that history and help address that imbalance. It would send a clear message that every community matters and deserves the same recognition and opportunities as others. This is not about taking something away from anyone else; it's about creating greater equity and recognising a community that's been overlooked for far too long. After many years of missing out, it's time to put fairness into practice and give this community a public holiday of its own.

I thank the member and certainly support it and I also support the amendment that he's putting up.