Retail Drinks Australia has strongly criticised the NSW Government over trading restrictions that will force approximately 80 per cent of the state’s packaged liquor retailers to remain closed on Anzac Day, labelling the move “unfair, discriminatory, and anti-competitive”.
Despite appeals from industry, more than 2,400 bottle shops – the majority of which are small, family-owned businesses – will not be allowed to open at any time on 25 April, while other licensed venues will still be permitted to sell takeaway alcohol.
Michael Waters, CEO of Retail Drinks Australia, said the closures ignore decades of responsible trade by the sector on this nationally significant day.
“As a key sector within the broader liquor industry, our members have retailed responsibly and respectfully on this day for decades, servicing their local communities – they respect the significance and importance of Anzac Day,” said Waters.
“People taking part in Anzac Day should be able to commemorate however they choose, whether attending community ceremonies, joining family and friends at a BBQ, or having a quiet drink remembering old mates.”
Retail Drinks has made repeated representations to the NSW Government in an attempt to restore the previous trading arrangement – allowing bottle shops to open from 1pm – but no changes have been confirmed.
“Despite all attempts with the NSW Government, no change is coming this year. We’ve appealed to the Premier for fairness. We’ve called on the Minister for Industrial Relations for common sense. We’ve asked other Ministers and local MPs for action, with no resolution reached to date.”
Michael Waters
“All we want is for bottle shops to be able to open from 1pm as they have done previously, to maintain all existing employee protections, to ensure consistency between relevant legislation, and to support small business viability in local communities.”
Retail Drinks also revealed that more than 100 individual exemption applications have been rejected by NSW Fair Trading.
“Applicants are being told they do not meet the ‘exceptional circumstance’ or ‘public interest’ thresholds, yet, when asked, NSW Fair Trading has not been able to qualify what those thresholds are,” Waters said.
To raise public awareness, the industry body has launched a campaign including in-store posters and a petition that is nearing 20,000 signatures – the number required to trigger a debate in NSW Parliament.
“We’re asking the Government to let people live their lives and to be fair and balanced when making laws. The current situation discriminates against bottle shops and makes life unnecessarily harder for people in this state with no clear benefit, and at a time when individuals and businesses alike are struggling to make ends meet.”
Waters added: “We’d encourage customers to take note that their local bottle shop is being forced to shut by the Government and to stock up at their store the day before if they’re able to.”