New holiday reflects significance of Anzac Day – Labour

MIL OSI – Source: Labour Party – New holiday reflects significance of Anzac Day Anzac Day now has the full recognition that other public holidays have long enjoyed, reflecting the growing significance it has to our sense of identity and pride as a nation, Labour MP David Clark says. “The importance of the 100th Gallipoli commemorations should not be underestimated, with more New Zealanders than ever turning up to Anzac services this weekend. “Many Kiwis back home have also taken the opportunity to travel and attend commemorations with loved ones. No doubt they will also stay on to enjoy a day of rest and relaxation with the Monday public holiday that follows tomorrow. “A MYOB survey of businesses conducted during the Mondayisation Bill’s passage through Parliament found that 87 per cent of business owners were either supportive of or neutral towards transferring Anzac and Waitangi holidays that fall on weekends to the closest Monday. “Most employers understand that Anzac and Waitangi are now to be treated exactly the same as Christmas and New Year when it comes to Mondayisation. The commemoration happens on the same day every year but a holiday follows subsequently if the commemoration falls on a weekend. “For many businesses, having 11 public holidays every year actually makes their job simpler as they are no longer required to make modifications in accounting treatment in the occasional years when fewer holidays occurred,” David Clark says. –]]>