“Creeping commercialisation”: NSW Government announces full-day retail trade ban for Anzac Day
Image: The news follows a review that found most people supported a full-day ban. Image: NSW Government
by SYDNEY BALDWIN
NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced a full-day retail trade ban on Anzac Day starting from next year.
Currently, retailers have to stay closed on April 25 until 1pm. The state government’s new changes will force retailers, including supermarkets, to stay shut until midnight.
“We believe there’s been a creeping commercialisation of Anzac Day over a prolonged period of time to the detriment of the importance of the day,” Minns said.
His decision was announced on Wednesday 10 July, where he stated that “this decision might involve some inconvenience, but closing our biggest corporate shops for a single day is a small price to pay for living in a free and open democracy.”
Retailers’ response
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has voiced concern surrounding the decisions for a ban on retail trade for Anzac Day.
Previously, trading hour restrictions were in place on Anzac Day, with retailers remaining closed until 1pm to honour the day’s commemorations.
Last year, the ARA made a submission to the NSW Government’s consultation in which they opposed any changes to these hour restrictions.
ARA CEO Paul Zahra said, “With morning services and marches across the country, retailers in NSW have consistently honoured ANZAC Day commemorations by remaining closed until 1.00pm.”
“Rather than detracting from ANZAC Day commemorations, retailers support community activities and consumer needs,” he continued.
“Changing this legislation will not change the way Australians come together on this important day.”
The effects that these new regulations would have on retail staff is also an important point of concern.
“Many workers are relying on public holiday rates to make ends meet during this incredibly challenging economic period,” Zahra said.
“Any change to the current regulations would restrict consumer choice and reduce the earning potential for retail employees who choose to work on ANZAC Day.”
Retail trade ban begins next year
The full-day retail trade ban will be in effect starting April 25, 2025.
According to a review by the state government, a majority of people were in support of the retail trade ban taking place until midnight on Anzac Day.
The only other state that has this full-day ban in place is Western Australia, with Queensland allowing independent retail shops to open from 1pm, with most large retailers being closed.
Victoria allows trading from 1pm, Tasmania allows trading from 12:30pm and South Australia allows trading from larger retailers and supermarkets between 12pm and 5pm only in Adelaide’s CBD.
No restrictions are in place in the ACT or Northern Territory.
Hotels, pharmacies, clubs and corner stores will be exempt from NSW’s full-day retail trade ban. Some small businesses, markets, cafes and news agencies will also be exempt.
“Remembering the fallen means stopping what we’re doing, putting aside our daily concerns, so we can properly reflect on the Australians who’ve gone before us,” said Minns.
“It means pausing as a community – really pausing – to contemplate the sacrifices made in our name.
“Over more than a century, those sacrifices have made our great country possible.
“What’s more, those sacrifices continue to this day.”
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