Due to a loophole in the way our pay system operates (Comm Govt Dept), if you take one day's annual leave at full pay on either side of the public holiday, then you get paid the public holiday at full pay, without using mat leave. This includes the annual Christmas closedown. If you take mat leave over the same period then you don't get the extra pay. I'm not sure where you work but it's worth asking about this with your pay department because strategically taking a week of annual leave at points throughout your leave without pay can stretch your dollar - and therefore the time you can afford to stay home with bubba - further.