The move has the backing of a major Labor affiliated union.
The majority of bottle shops in New South Wales (NSW) will close on ANZAC Day following a regulation change by the state government.
The NSW government passed legislation in 2024 that stops all retailers, including liquor stores and supermarkets, from operating on the public holiday. Limited exemptions will apply to liquor outlets attached to a pub.
ANZAC Day commemorates the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915, and all those who served and died in conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
It is traditionally marked by many with a few drinks at a local community club or Returned Service League (RSL) Club following a dawn or morning service.
Retail Drinks Australia described the bottle shop closures as unfair, discriminatory, and anti-competitive, noting that 2,400 liquor retailers would be impacted.
The national advocacy group said despite every effort, recent changes by the NSW government would go ahead, forcing “80 percent of NSW bottle shops to remain closed for the entire day.”
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They noted that other licensed businesses are still able to freely trade and sell takeaway alcohol.
CEO Michael Waters said people taking part in Anzac Day should be able to commemorate however they choose, whether attending community ceremonies, joining family and friends at a BBQ, or having a quiet drink remembering old mates.
“Despite all attempts with the NSW government, no change is coming this year. We’ve appealed to the premier for fairness. We’ve called on the minister for industrial relations for common sense. We’ve asked other ministers and local MPs for action, with no resolution reached to date.
“All we want is for bottle shops to be able to open from 1 p.m. as they have done previously, to maintain all existing employee protections, to ensure consistency between relevant legislation, and to support small business viability in local communities.”
Waters said more than 100 exemption applications had been lodged with NSW Fair Trading and “every single one” had been 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,” he said.
NSW Government, Unions, Defend Bottle Shop Closures
Veterans Minister David Harris and Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis defended the trading restrictions, saying they enabled workers and business owners to participate in community events.
Harris said Anzac Day was one of Australia’s most significant days for the community to come together and commemorate sacrifice and service.
The move received strong backing from Labor-backed union, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA).
Secretary of the NSW branch, Bernie Smith, said shop workers across NSW were “pleased” shops were closed all day this year.
“We owe our veterans and current serving ADF personnel a debt of gratitude for their sacrifice 365 days a year. We can all stop shopping for one whole day to commemorate that sacrifice,” he said.
Meanwhile, NSW RSL President Mick Bainbridge added, “We must do all that we can to preserve the Anzac spirit and ensure the unique sacrifices of our servicemen and women, past and present, and their contribution to our Australian way of life are never forgotten.”
“Anzac Day is the most sacred day on our national calendar and it’s important that every Australian has the opportunity to pause, reflect and honour those who have served and who continue to serve.”
Meanwhile, bottle shops can open in the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, Tasmania, Victoria, and South Australia. In Western Australia, bottle shops must be closed with limited exemptions.
