Public holiday in Australia for Queen’s death on September 22

Australians will have an extra public holiday to mourn the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese announced on Sunday the National Day of Mourning will be held on September 22.

‘It will be a one-off national public holiday to allow people to pay their respects for the passing of Queen Elizabeth,’ he told ABC. 

Prime minister Anthony Albanese announced on Sunday the National Day of Mourning will be held on September 22 (pictured, residents lay wreaths for the Queen at Government House in Victoria on Saturday)

A memorial service will also be held on the day at a yet-to-be-confirmed Anglican cathedral. 

Mr Albanese said he had written to advise state and territory leaders of the decision.

He paid tribute to the late Queen and her ongoing support to Australia.

‘She made it clear that Australia is in charge of our own destiny,’ he said.

‘During moments, for example during the referendum that was held, she wasn’t a participant in that, she said she’d respect the outcome of the Australian people determining a way forward.’

Mr Albanese said government would also make up for the four sitting days in parliament lost after it was announced parliament would be suspended for 15 days out of respect for the Queen.

A memorial service will also be held on the day at a yet-to-be-confirmed Anglican cathedral (pictured, mourners in Melbourne on Saturday)

‘It would be difficult to envisage the sort of adversarial activity that occurs in our parliament … so I think it was appropriate, and protocols require the automatic cancellation,’ he said. 

The public holiday will come as Governor-General David Hurley prepares to officially proclaim King Charles III’s ascension to the throne on Sunday. 

The proclamation will be followed by a 21 gun salute with state governors to make their own proclamations at ceremonies around the country.

More to come