This time last year, retailers were celebrating a significant milestone in NSW, following the passing of a trial reform by the the NSW Government and NSW Legislation Council that allowed all retailers in the state to trade on Boxing Day. The reform was given a two-year trial period and will be ending this Boxing Day, 2016.

Prior to the reform, Boxing Day was a ‘restricted trading day’ allowing some retailers to open on the public holiday, while stating others must be closed. Subsequently, this had affected the amount of revenue retailers have been able to make on the day – arguably one of the biggest of the year – as well as employees, who had been forced to miss out on penalty rates.

The Liquor Stores Association (LSA) had lobbied for seven years for the reform. Michael Waters, Executive Director of LSA NSW/ACT said, “Prior to the reform trial, over 1,200 liquor stores across NSW – more than one-third being small independent family businesses – had been unfairly prohibited from trading on Boxing Day, one of the biggest trading days of the year.

“The previous law also penalised regular customers who would turn up to their local bottle shop only to find it shut while shops around them were open, and unfairly disadvantaged thousands of employees and their families across NSW, who previously had the opportunity to work and earn lucrative penalty rates.”

As we are approaching Boxing Day 2016, this year will be the second and last Boxing Day of the reform. Following this year’s Boxing Day trade, the Government will be conducting an independent review before November 2017.

Waters says the feedback from the trial reform has been positive, and the LSA will be pushing for the reform to be made permanent.

“Since the reform trial commenced the vast majority of feedback received from our members has been very positive. LSA conservatively estimates that over 180,000 additional customers across the State are able to take advantage of the convenience offered by having more liquor stores open again and in addition, NSW liquor retailers pay more than 40,000 additional hours in wages (at public holiday rates no less) and salaries on Boxing Day, giving employees who freely elected to work a significant boost to their pay packets," said Waters.

“The previous complex, inconsistent, inefficient, and prehistoric retail trading regime unfairly penalised and disadvantaged thousands of customers, businesses and employees.

“However the LSA has every confidence that common sense will prevail and that this unnecessary red tape is removed once and for all, so that all liquor retailers can again look forward to operating on an even playing field, and we can all move forward to further employment and help grow NSW.”

As Boxing Day approaches, Waters reminds retailers that any employer found to have forced staff will be fined by the Government, and urges adherence to the amended legislation.

“The LSA reminds liquor retailers to remain vigilant by adhering to this condition to ensure that 'staff freely elect to work without coercion or threats made by, or on behalf of, the retailer’,” said Mr Waters.

 

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