The NT Government will declare Boxing Day (Saturday, December 26) a public holiday.
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Under current legislation, if Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the public holiday is observed on the following Monday and there is no official public holiday on the Saturday.
Despite this declaration, Monday, December 28 will stay a public holiday as well.
The Territory is one of only three jurisdictions which does not recognise both the Saturday and the Monday as public holidays.
For 2020, the NT will join the majority of states and territories in Australia by making both December 26 and December 28 public holidays.
The Government will enact a legislative instrument to declare December 26 a public holiday.
This arrangement will mean the Territory's public holidays over this period are the same as New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and the ACT.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner said: "This has been a hard year for everyone, and I think all Territorians have earned a break. But for a lot of our frontline workers, retail and hospitality staff, Boxing Day means another day of hard work.
"Boxing Day is traditionally a day for Australians to spend time with family, watch the cricket or hit the shops. It isn't any ordinary day and it shouldn't be treated like it is.
"While most of us are spending time with family and friends, these Territorians are still working for all of us.
"The Territorians who sacrifice their time off so we can enjoy our time off deserve to be appropriately recognised and rewarded for this.
"We are behind most of the country on this. Our decision brings us into line with almost every other state and territory. I know it won't make everyone happy, but it strikes the right balance."
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