The State Government's last minute change of heart on the forthcoming Christmas/ New Year public holiday arrangements will lead to inevitable confusion and cost increases for many Victorian employers, says VECCI.

This decision has been made at a time when many of those employers are already trying to come to grips with what is perhaps this State's best-kept secret - the forthcoming extension of comprehensive Federal award coverage across the Victorian workforce from the beginning of January.

This decision also comes at a time when it was assumed that these issues had been put to bed," says VECCI General Manager - Workplace Relations Policy, David Gregory.

"In February this year the Government sensibly announced, in line with past practice, that because Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day all fall on a weekend this year, the days would be substituted. Employers accepted that decision and have since scheduled rosters and staffing arrangements around those expectations.

"Now, at the eleventh month, if not the eleventh hour, those arrangements have been turned on their head by a decision which means that there will now be 5 public holidays in Victoria across the nine-day period from 26th December to 3rd January.

"For many employers, particularly retailers, tourism and resort operators, and many in the health sector, who are experiencing some of their busiest periods during that time, these changes will add unnecessary complication and unjustified additional costs.

"The only saving grace is that the Government has at least resisted any pressure to limit the current shop trading arrangements that apply over the Christmas/New Year period", says Mr Gregory.

For all media enquiries, please contact:
VECCI Strategic Communications
Ph:      (03) 8662 5226
email: media@vecci.org.au