More than 2,400 NSW bottle shops will be forced to close for the entirety of ANZAC Day this year under new trading rules.
This initiative has prompted backlash from small business owners and industry leaders.
The policy, introduced by the NSW Government, marks a shift from previous years when liquor retailers were allowed to open from 1pm.
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While pubs, clubs and other licensed venues can continue takeaway alcohol sales, bottle shops must remain shut.
Michael Waters, CEO of Retail Drinks Australia, said the new restrictions punish small, family-run stores.
“People taking part in ANZAC Day should be able to commemorate however they choose, whether attending community ceremonies … or having a quiet drink remembering old mates,” he said.
Waters said that the industry has long observed ANZAC Day “respectfully and responsibly,” and said the current changes are “unfair, discriminatory and anti-competitive”.
“All we want is for bottle shops to be able to open from 1pm as they have done previously,” he added.
Over 100 exemption applications have been submitted to NSW Fair Trading, but were rejected.
“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.”
Retail Drinks Australia has launched a petition to challenge the decision, which has already garnered tens of thousands of signatures.
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