Andrews Government could backflip on decision not to make Christmas Day a public holiday

Christmas Day could still be declared a public holiday with Small Business Minister Philip Dalidakis admitting he may have made a mistake.

The decision by the Andrews Government not to make Christmas Day a public holiday outraged the unions. 

The government had decided that because Christmas falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the next working day which is a Tuesday.

It means those who work on the day itself will not receive holiday penalty rates.

Entering Parliament a short time ago, Minister Philip Dalidakis told 3AW News he may have got it wrong.

He said after speaking to people he respects he has been given an understanding of what it means to work on Christmas Day.

He said he will think about it while on a trade mission overseas, and make a final decision when he returns.