The state government has proposed a change to public holidays and has invited the public to have a say.

It intends to to make Christmas Day a public holiday, regardless of which day of the week it falls on.

Currently, when a public holiday falls on a Saturday, the holiday moves to the following Monday. 

This has led to some workers not being paid public holiday rates when rostered on to work on Christmas Day, 25 December.

Under the proposed changes, where 25 December falls on a Saturday, both the Saturday and the Monday will become public holidays, as is already the case when Christmas Day falls on a Sunday.

Attorney General Kyam Maher says the legislation will redress an unfair situation.

“The Labor Government is committed to protecting the rights of South Australian workers.”

A Your Say survey will give South Australians the chance to suggest changes they would like to see made to the Holidays Act 1910.

There are currently 13 public holidays each year in South Australia including part-day public holidays.

The Holidays Act has not been amended since the introduction of Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve as part-day holidays in 2012.

Feedback from the confidential Your Say survey will help shape the government’s approach to amendments to the Holidays Act regarding public holidays in South Australia. 

Draft legislation will then be released before introduction to Parliament.

Go to the Your Say website to complete the survey, which closes Friday 3 February.