Extend retail trade ban on Anzac Day

Previously banned until 1pm, the restrictions on retailers including supermarkets now won’t be lifted until midnight.
Retailers who have exemptions – such as cafes, restaurants, chemists and newsagencies – can continue to trade all day.
Clarke National Realty Revesby’s James Clarke said that although they were accessible to customers seven days a week, they usually opted to close on Anzac Day.
“I am definitely in support of this, I think it’s a good thing,” he said.
“It’s the one day of the year where we can commemorate the sacrifices made which resulted in the freedom we know today,” he said.
“Both of our grandfathers fought in World War 2 and I always attend a Dawn Service while my sister Lucy goes into the city for the march.
“Having no trade or business on Anzac Day is a great move.”
YCC Poultry Bankstown’s May Jones said they would never open on Anzac Day.
“That’s the day we should all be spending with family and now we can,” she said.
Asbestos Away Bankstown’s Tony Gabriel agrees and is happy there will be less people working on the day.
“No one should work on Anzac Day, I wouldn’t want to, it’s a day to remember their sacrifice,” he said.
Bass Hill Concrete’s Santos Dacampos agrees.
“Have the day off and enjoy it, we’ve never worked on Anzac Day anyway,” he said.
Mr Flow Bankstown’s Steve Hamad said that being an emergency plumber, he was regarded as an essential worker.
“You can’t help it if your toilet gets blocked on a public holiday, you still need it fixed,” he said.
Illuminate Skin & Beauty Sefton owner Rima Tenian said that normally public holidays were when staff and students had their treatments done.
“So this will affect us but what can you do, we will close because we certainly don’t want to be fined,” she said.
“It’s only one day of the year and it’s a very important day.”
Bankstown RSL Sub-branch President Terry Corcoran described the move as “a bloody good idea”.
“This mark of respect is long overdue,” he said.
“They’re spot on now, it’s fantastic.”
Vietnam Veterans Federation Secretary Ron O’Connor also applauds the move.
“We’re very happy, it should’ve happened a long time ago,” he said.
Premier Chris Minns said for Australians, no occasion could be more solemn or significant than Anzac Day.
“It might be inconvenient for a few hours, but closing our biggest corporate shops for a single day is a small price to pay for living in a free and open democracy,” he said.
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