The Prime Minister has defended the one-off public holiday in honour of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Australian Medical Association has raised concerns about staff shortages on the National Day of Mourning marked for September 22.

Ben Fordham has received emails from business owners unable to pay public holiday rates to staff.

Anthony Albanese told Ben most issues can be worked through “with a bit of commonsense”.

“If someone needs chemotherapy on that specific day of course they should receive it.

“This isn’t a declaration that no one’s allowed to do anything on September 22.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview