AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

HOLIDAYS ORDINANCE 1958.

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

No. 19 of 1958

	The only provisions for public holidays in the Territory at present are those contained in the Public Service Act and in industrial awards.  When special holidays have been observed, as on the occasion of the Commonwealth Jubilee in 1951 and the visit of Her Majesty the Queen in 1954, a separate ordinance was made for each holiday.

	The purpose of this Ordinance is to make legislative provision for the observance of public holidays in the Australian Capital Territory.  It will obviate the necessity for making ordinances for special holidays.

	The days which are currently observed as public holidays in the Territory are listed as public holidays under the Ordinance, but the Minister may declare that any of these days shall not be observed as a public holiday in any particular year.  The Minister is empowered also to declare any other day to be a public holiday.

	The provisions for bank holidays, previously contained in the Bank Holidays Ordinance 1952 are incorporated in this ordinance.