Small Business Minister Philip Dalidakis said when Christmas Day fell on a weekend, the public holiday would continue to be substituted to the next available weekday. In 2016, because Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, the public holiday will be observed on Tuesday, December 27.

Mr Dalidakis said there would be restricted trading for applicable businesses on Christmas Day.

“(But) there will be no trading restrictions imposed on the Christmas Day public holiday,” he said. “Whether businesses open or close is entirely a matter for them.”