Statement on the National Day of Mourning

19 September 2022

The National Public Holiday called by the Prime Minister for Thursday, 22 September 2022 will allow Territorians to pay their respects following the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth The Second.

On the resumption of Parliamentary Sittings on 11 October, a Bill will be introduced to amend the Public Holidays Act 1981 to formally recognise the National Day of Mourning as a public holiday in the Northern Territory, retrospectively.

This will mean the one-off National Day of Mourning to mark the Queen’s passing will be subject to the same arrangements as most other public holidays and there will be no restrictions on trade for those businesses which decide to open.

Given the retrospective application of the legislation, businesses will be required to comply with all relevant requirements relating to public holidays in their award or agreement, such as payment of penalty rates, with normal public holiday trading hours applying for liquor outlets.

For information on the award or agreement provisions that may apply, please visit the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website https://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay-and-wages/penalty-rates-allowances-and-other-payments/penalty-rates

On 22 September 2022, Parliament House will illuminate with images of the late Queen for those who wish to pay their respects and reflect on the longest serving monarch. 

Further details on the new public holiday are available at https://nt.gov.au/nt-public-holidays or phone Territory Business Centres on 1800 193 111.

Northern Territory Government