Australia Day holiday to be January 26 from 1994

Parliament has decided that the Australia Day holiday will be held on January 26 from 1994.

Productivity and Labour Relations Minister Yvonne Henderson said today that legislation to accommodate the change had been introduced into Parliament last year.

"However, as a result of slow progress in the legislative program, the implementation of the Government's decision in this area has been delayed," Mrs Henderson said.

The Government gave a commitment that the holiday would be held on January 26 after the Australia Day long weekend last year.

"It has been drawn to my attention that sporting bodies, community groups and country centres have already scheduled events for the Australia Day long weekend next year, so the alteration in the holiday arrangement will not come into effect till the following year," the Minister said.

The Australia Day long weekend falls on Saturday, January 30 - Monday, February 1 next year.

In 1994, January 26 falls on a Wednesday, which will be the public holiday.