Shops across NSW would be allowed to trade on Boxing Day under a Baird government plan.
Treasurer, Andrew Constance, says under the state’s current “archaic” laws, shops in Sydney’s CBD and eastern suburbs can stay open during the public holiday while those in western Sydney and other areas can’t.
“For too long businesses have been at a disadvantage in NSW as a result of this restriction on Boxing Day,” he told reporters in Sydney’s west.
Constance said the coalition was seeking a mandate at the March 28 election for the plan after a similar idea was stalled in the state’s upper house in 2012.
He said under the proposal Boxing Day would remain a public holiday and employees would have the “choice” to work.
The treasurer urged Labor to support the plan, while calling them “nothing more than the puppets of the union movement”.
He said the change would allow NSW retailers to compete with other states, such as Victoria, which has removed restrictions on Boxing Day.
Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day (until 1pm) and Christmas Day would remain restricted trading days under the Baird government.
Opposition Leader, Luke Foley, said while he supported the easing of trading laws over recent years, he believed it was important for workers to be with their families during the Christmas break.
“I don’t want workers pressured into giving up their Christmas Day to stock stores for Boxing Day sales,” he told reporters.
“I believe some things are sacred, I believe Christmas is sacred and if workers can spend some time with their families, I want to support them in that.”
The Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) commended the plan as good news for consumers, jobs, and the economy.
Angus Nardi, executive director SCCA, said the announcement is fantastic news for consumers, jobs, and the economy.
“The current Boxing Day restrictions on major retailers means that shopping centres can’t justify opening their doors on a day that is known for being a great day for shopping,” said Nardi.
“The current restrictions are out dated and not in line with consumer preferences. Consumer choice, not government regulation, should decide when shops can open.
“Our member companies who open across other major cities on Boxing Day, such as Melbourne and Perth, tell us that consumers vote with their feet and keep coming through the doors,” he said.
While the Government’s commitment applies state wide, easing the restrictions across Sydney’s major centres alone would see the end of the artificial barriers which enable people to access all shops in Bondi Junction, but not in Blacktown, Parramatta, Chatswood or Rouse Hill.
“Across Sydney’s major centres alone, we estimate there’s around 1.1 million sqm of retail floor space – equivalent to over 150 football fields – that isn’t being utilised on Boxing Day.
“Easing the restrictions across these locations could enable the opening of over 110 major retailers and 3800 specialty retailers, including over 300 food outlets and cafes, across a number of shopping centres.”
“Importantly, retailers cannot be forced to trade if they don’t want to.”
