The holiday date for Brisbane’s annual Ekka Show has been moved from 12 to 14 August to create a one-off long weekend giving the community the chance for a mini-break and boosting the tourism industry.
Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said the move would see People’s Day become the People’s Long Weekend.
Ms Palaszczuk said with further easing of COVID-19 restrictions expected in August, the long weekend would provide an extra stimulus for the tourism industry.
“Everyone knows the Ekka is when the bush meets the city,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Since that can’t happen this year, this gives the city the chance to go to the bush – or the beach – have a break and let Queenslanders support Queenslanders in our wonderful tourism industry.”
Minister for Tourism, Kate Jones encouraged families to take advantage of the one-off long weekend and support Queensland tourism businesses.
President of the show, David Thomas said organisers were happy to surrender the holiday — just this once.
“Since we can’t have the Ekka as we usually do, it’s good that People’s Day can help other people,” Mr Thomas said.
Minister for Industrial Relations, Grace Grace said the move was done after consultation with the show’s organisers, the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA).
“It was obviously a difficult decision for the RNA to cancel this year’s Ekka for only the third time in its 144-year history,” Ms Grace said.
“Rest assured this move is strictly for this year only, the Ekka Show Holiday will return on People’s Day in 2021.”
