SA shops get Christmas trading hours bonus
Treasurer Rob Lucas has granted a raft of exemptions to suburban retailers permitting them to trade for longer hours in the lead up to Christmas.
Photo: AAP/Ellen Smith
The ministerial exemptions granted under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1977 will also allow suburban retailers in South Australia to open on New Year’s Day for the first time.
From November 26 (Black Friday) until Christmas, previously non-exempt shops in the CBD and suburbs will be permitted to open between 9am and 11am on Sundays.
Shops will also be able to open until midnight on Black Friday; Thursday, December 16; Friday, December 17; and Thursday December 23.
Boxing Day shopping will also be open from 9am to 5pm.
The slew of exemptions are the latest move in a three-year push from the State Government to deregulate shop trading hours, after attempts to pass a bill through parliament and launch a statewide referendum failed.
Lucas said the exemptions would support an expected “surge in spending activity” after South Australia’s borders reopen on November 23.
“After more than 18 months of COVID, where many local businesses have been struggling to stay afloat – and pent-up consumer demand, particular from NSW and Victorian consumers after their long, arduous lockdowns – there’s never been a more critical time to roll out the welcome mat and give our retailers the opportunity to trade,” he said.
“It’s simply not right that suburban retailers should be forced to shut for six out of 10 days over the Christmas/New Year period.”
Business SA in August backed away from its previous position on shop trading hours reform, withdrawing support for the State Government’s push for full deregulation and advocating for a more modest change to opening hours, in line with the Labor Party.
An Opposition spokesperson said extending shopping hours in the lead up to Christmas is “not unusual”, but criticised the State Government for not making Christmas Day a public holiday.
“This means thousands of workers who sacrifice their Christmas Day to go to work will miss out on the penalty rates they deserve,” the spokesperson said.
“Extending shopping hours in the lead up to Christmas is not unusual, but what is unusual is refusing to declare Christmas Day a public holiday.”
