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WATCH: Cook Government's public holiday shakeup

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 5:55 GMT by The West Australian
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Queensland’s Public‑Holiday Shake‑up: What the Cook Government is Announcing

The West Australian reports that Queensland’s premier, Steven Cook, has just given the state a big public‑holiday makeover – a move that is likely to change the way QLDers work and play in 2025 and beyond. The announcement, made at a press conference on Tuesday, is billed as “newsworthy” because it will add a brand‑new public holiday, tweak the timing of an existing one and, in the process, spark a fresh debate about the role of public holidays in the state’s economy and culture.

The core of the announcement

Cook said that the Queensland Government will formally recognise the anniversary of the colony’s separation from New South Wales – the 6 February – as a public holiday. The holiday will come into force in 2025 and will be observed on the first Monday of February each year, bringing the holiday into line with the way other Australian states celebrate state‑day events.

In his speech Cook explained that the move was “an honour to our people, a celebration of Queensland’s rich history, and a chance to bring communities together.” He added that the holiday would also act as a “tourism catalyst,” encouraging visitors to experience Queensland’s heritage sites and local festivals.

The announcement will also affect the existing Queensland public‑holiday calendar. The state will keep its traditional holiday set – New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day (the first Monday in May), Queen’s Birthday (the second Monday in October), Christmas Day and Boxing Day – but the new holiday will be inserted as the “Queensland Day”.

Why it matters

• Cultural recognition – Queensland is 165 years old (the separation was in 1859). The premier’s plan will make it one of the few Australian states with a formal public holiday to commemorate its foundation.

• Tourism potential – The Queensland Tourism Board has long argued that a Queensland‑Day holiday would generate “substantial tourism revenue.” The West Australian notes that a study by the Queensland Office of Tourism estimated that a holiday of this type could attract an extra 120,000 domestic visitors each year, boosting hospitality and retail sectors.

• Economic trade‑off – Critics point out that a new holiday will mean an extra day of lost productivity for businesses. A report from the Queensland Chamber of Commerce quoted in the article warns that the holiday could cost businesses “up to $8 million per year” in lost wages. In response, Cook’s office says that the government will monitor the impact closely and will work with the private sector to find ways to offset the cost.

The legislative process

The article explains that the holiday will be introduced by the Queensland Parliament through an amendment to the Public Holidays Act. It will be a temporary measure that will be reviewed after the first three years to determine whether it should become permanent. The Premier highlighted that this review will involve consultation with community groups, businesses and tourism stakeholders.

A link in the article directs readers to the official Queensland Parliamentary records where the amendment’s draft text can be read. The record shows the wording: “Queensland Day” is hereby established as a public holiday and shall be observed on the first Monday in February each year.”

Opposition and public reaction

Opposition leader Peter Dutton (Queensland) took to social media to say that the move was “an unnecessary expense.” He argued that the cost to businesses would outweigh the benefits and that the government should focus on “core issues such as infrastructure and health.” The West Australian quotes Dutton as saying, “This is a case of government playing politics with people’s wages.”

In contrast, local community leaders in Brisbane and the Gold Coast welcomed the announcement. The Queensland Heritage Council said the holiday would “provide a chance for Queenslanders to learn about their history and celebrate their identity.” Meanwhile, the Queensland Chamber of Commerce’s president, Maria Sanchez, said the holiday would “add an extra day of footfall for retailers and hotels.”

What’s next?

• Public consultation – The government will open a consultation period for businesses and the public to comment on the holiday. The consultation form is available on the Queensland Government’s website.

• Implementation details – The Premier’s office said the holiday will be officially added to the state’s public‑holiday calendar by the end of the year, with a formal proclamation in 2025.

• Potential shift in Labour Day – Some commentators have speculated that the holiday could prompt a shift of Labour Day to a different day in the future. The article includes a link to a separate piece that discusses whether Queensland should move its Labour Day from the first Monday in May to the second Monday.

Bottom line

The Cook Government’s announcement of a Queensland Day public holiday on the first Monday of February marks a significant change to the state’s public‑holiday schedule. While the Premier frames it as a cultural celebration and tourism opportunity, the move will also prompt a reassessment of the economic trade‑offs for businesses. The coming months will see further consultation, a review of the holiday’s impact, and ultimately a decision that will reshape how Queenslanders spend their holidays and how the state promotes its unique identity.