Retail giants and gambling agencies show no respect for Easter
Tuesday 17 March 2009.
One of the holiest days in the Christian calendar has been disregarded and disrespected with the proposed move by retailers to trade on Easter Sunday (April 12) for the first time.
More than 80 stores including retail giants such as Myer, David Jones, Kmart, Freedom and OfficeWorks have submitted applications with Mr Graeme Head, Director General from the NSW Department of Commerce for permission and approval to operate on previously restricted days. Trading on Easter Sunday has previously been restricted to small shops employing no more than four people.
The proposed move has angered Rev the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes, a Christian Democrat Member of Parliament, “The proposal to operate on one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar signifies the lack of respect by retailers to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection.”
When NSW shop trading regulations were reviewed in June last year, the NSW Government said:
“The Bill will retain trading restriction for major retailers on only a few of the most significant public holidays – on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and before 1pm on Anzac Day. These are our most significant public holidays.”
Despite this regulation, on Boxing Day last year every single application for an exemption to trade on Boxing Day was granted by the NSW Department of Commerce.
Moreover, gambling agencies such as TABs are also allowed to operate on Good Friday (April 10) across NSW and Victoria. He said, “With more Australians clearly in debt and more Australians unemployed, the decision by Tabcorp to trade on Good Friday clearly sends the wrong message.”
Rev Dr Gordon Moyes acknowledged that although Australia is a pluralistic society, there are certain days that must be respected to uphold Christian traditions and principles. He continued, “Easter is the most significant event of the Christian calendar. It is a period of reflection on peace and forgiveness. Easter Sunday represents new life and we must continue to give importance to this special day.”
Dr Gordon Moyes has supported the opposition by the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association. He added, “Easter Sunday is an important day for many workers who have family or religious commitments. The proposed move by the retailers is an attack on families who wish to spend the day together.”
Dr Moyes concluded, “I encourage the Director General to rethink his decisions when permitting larger shops to open on Easter Sunday.” END.