NSW extends ANZAC Day retail trading ban to full 24 hours
Retail stores in New South Wales will now remain closed for the entirety of Anzac Day. The change, announced by the state government today, is designed to allow more people the chance to attend commemorative events.
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00:00Well, retail traders like supermarkets and fashion stores were required to shut until
00:061pm on April 25.
00:09This was designed so that employees would have the opportunity to attend commemorative
00:12events like Anzac Day marches and dawn services.
00:16There were exemptions for small businesses like cafes, pharmacies and news agencies,
00:22so they could trade whenever they like.
00:24But today the New South Wales Government has announced a new ruling, so retail traders
00:29like supermarkets and fashion stores will no longer be allowed to open after 1pm, in
00:34fact they'll actually have to be closed for a full 24 hours.
00:38The Government says this is a review that was made after some polling done last year
00:43which found a majority of people were in support of a full day closure, as they said it was
00:49a better way of commemorating Australia's ex-servicemen and women.
00:54Chris Minns, the New South Wales Premier says the change will allow employees the opportunity
01:00to attend commemorative events which aren't always happening in the morning anymore.
01:06We believe there's been a commercialisation, a creeping commercialisation of Anzac Day
01:11over a prolonged period of time to the detriment of the importance of the day.
01:17There's many things that divide up our community in New South Wales and Australia and the truth
01:22of the matter is the nation's national day is Anzac Day.
01:26The Government says today's change will bring New South Wales in line with some other Australian states.
01:33The Shop and Workers Union has issued its support for this change and said that they've
01:39actually long advocated for it, whereas the Australian Retailers Association has actually
01:44issued a statement of concern.
01:46But I'm here at Sydney Cenotaph, I've been speaking to people walking around here and
01:51here is what they've had to say about the new ruling.
01:54I think it should be, out of respect for our veterans.
01:58My father was in World War II and I come to here and march for my father, there's nobody
02:03left anymore and I think everybody should stay out of the shops.
02:06I think the shops are open long enough, they don't need to be open any further.
02:10Seven days a week and if people can't show one day respect, well what's left?
02:16Send a message out there that everyone should be out there, using this time for that reason.
02:24This change is one of two announcements the Government has made in relation to Australia's
02:29wartime history.
02:30A new memorial dedicated to commemorating those who served in the Middle East, like
02:35Iraq and Afghanistan, will be built at the Domain in Sydney CBD and this site's been
02:41selected because it is the site of Australia's first Anzac Day service in 1916.
02:48The NSW RSL President, Mick Bainbridge, has issued $2 million to this memorial and says
02:56that the veteran community will be extensively consulted to ensure that it meets their needs.
03:03For RSL NSW, we're very happy about the decision because it will allow our members, our veterans
03:09and their families to attend commemorations in Sydney and be with their families during
03:16those times.
03:17A full day closure of supermarkets and major fashion stores will take effect on Anzac Day
03:23next year.
03:24Small businesses like cafes, pharmacies and news agencies will still have that same exemption
03:29that I mentioned.
03:30And for those that are wondering about their annual game of two-up, well clubs and pubs,
03:35they're unaffected by this new ruling.
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