National push on public holidays

MOVES to reduce the number of public holidays could threaten the viability of some of the state's iconic events, organisers say.

The Australian Industry Group has reopened the public holiday debate saying they should be capped at 11 as part of a raft of workplace reforms.

Hobart Show chief executive officer Scott Gadd said our events need to be protected.

Tasmania observes 10 national public holidays with a further two in Hobart for show day and the regatta, which also takes in the Hobart Cup.

Much of the north of the state has 13 public holidays each year.

Unique holidays such as an Agfest holiday for Circular Head residents would also face scrutiny.

The proposed overhaul of the country's industrial relations system also wants to block unions' right of entry to workplaces and vexatious strike action.

"Public holidays in Australia are a mess, with states and territories each doing their own thing ... adding to business costs in our already high cost economy. What is needed is a single set of nationally consistent public holidays," AI Group chief executive Innes Willox said.

Under the plan, workers in Tasmania, NSW and South Australia would face the loss of a paid day off ... or more.

Mr Gadd said Hobart Show Day helped pay for the four-day event.

"Those public holidays are critical, they're always our biggest,'' Mr Gadd said.

Tasmanian Racing Club chairman Geoff Harper said the characteristics identified with specific public holidays were as important as attendance on a public holiday.

"Does each state have some sort of identity that adds to the nation? I would say yes. There should be a uniqueness to each state that allows that,'' Mr Harper said.

The AI Group survey of 330 manufacturing, services and building firms said the No.1 priority for the new government must be the introduction of Fair Work Act changes.

It called for the introduction of last year's panel recommendations that a regulated 11 public holidays a year be introduced.

"The unfair nature of the Fair Work Act is holding back job creation and productivity as well as forcing costs to balloon,'' Mr Willox said.

This month the jobless rate hit its highest level since the financial crisis, with a record 709,000 looking for work.

Employers are also demanding greater legal protection from compensation claims filed by employees seeking "go away'' money.

"A very lop-sided approach has been taken to implementing the panel's recommendations with the legislative amendments increasing the power and entitlements of unions and employees. This needs to be addressed in the next term of government,'' he said.

-- with Stephen McMahon

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