Australians Will Get The Day Off On September 22 To Mourn The Queen

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that Australians will get a one-off public holiday, with September 22 to be recognised as a national day of mourning for the late Queen Elizabeth II.

In an interview with the ABC, Albanese said the public holiday will coincide with a memorial service taking place as the PM and the Governor-General return from England — where they will attend the late Queen’s funeral on Monday, September 19.

“It will be a one-off national public holiday to allow people to pay their respects for the passing of Queen Elizabeth,” said Albanese.

While in England for the funeral, the Prime Minister and the Governor-General will also meet with King Charles for the first time since his ascension to the throne.

The one-off public holiday will be observed to allow Australians to pay their respects to the Queen.

“I have asked Premiers and Chief Ministers that Thursday 22 September 2022 be declared a National Public Holiday in honour of the life and service of our late Queen,” said Albanese in a statement announcing the day of mourning on Sunday.

“Over the coming weeks, Australia will continue to commemorate our late Queen.

“I encourage all Australians, wherever you may be, to take time to pause and reflect on Her Majesty’s extraordinary life of service.”

The National Memorial Service will take place in the Great Hall of the Australian Parliament in Canberra at 11am on September 22, and will be broadcast live nationwide.

If you’re interested in watching the Queen’s actual funeral, this will also be broadcast nationwide from 8pm AEST on Monday, September 19.

The public holiday will mean Victorians will enjoy a four-day weekend, with the day of mourning falling the day before the annual AFL Grand Final Eve public holiday.

Anthony Albanese has ruled out the possibility of Australia becoming a republic during his first term in office, instead, he will focus on delivering the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.