Shops free to open on April public holiday

Concerns that shops in the Perth metropolitan area would be forced to close for three straight days over this year's Anzac Day long weekend have been allayed following today's announcement by Commerce Minister Troy Buswell that larger general retail shops can apply for special permits to trade on the Monday public holiday, April 27.

A trading anomaly exists this year because Anzac Day falls on a Saturday and, unlike most other States and Territories, Monday, April 27 is a public holiday in Western Australia.

Mr Buswell said he was willing to approve trading in the CBD and Fremantle tourist precincts and had been advised that industry bodies representing general retail shops can apply for permits covering their members to open on the Monday public holiday, under provisions of the 'Retail Trading Hours Act'.

General retail shops include major department stores, chain stores and large supermarkets.

Small retail businesses owned by up to six people and employing 13 people or less on any one shift are not affected.  They have full deregulation and are free to trade seven days a week all year.

Under the Act, bigger shops must remain closed on Anzac Day, Saturday, April 25, as per normal public holiday rules.

The Minister said the State Government was prepared to allow shops to open on the Monday because it made good sense and was warranted.  If restrictions were left in place, the retail sector stood to lose six trading days in the month with Easter falling in April.

"Businesses are under enough stress as it is with the economic downturn," he said.

"The loss of so many trading days in such a short space of time is the last thing they need."

There would also be significant wastage of fresh produce in the grocery sector with stock unable to be held over.

"I am also mindful of the inconvenience that a three-day closure would impose on consumers," Mr Buswell said.

The Minister said he wanted to emphasise that retailers would be under no compulsion to open and could make their own decision whether or not to trade.   Under the Act, the Commissioner for Consumer Protection has discretionary powers to issue permits for normal trading on the Monday.

Commenting on the announcement, Commissioner Anne Driscoll said the move was a common sense way to deal with an unusual set of circumstances.

"We have worked collaboratively with the retail industry to arrive at a practical solution," Ms Driscoll said. 

"I believe this arrangement following Anzac Day will provide a win-win outcome both for retailers and consumers."

Only WA and the ACT will get to enjoy an additional day off for Anzac Day this year. The rest of the States will adopt the rule from 2010 when a national agreement will harmonise public holidays whenever Anzac Day falls on a weekend or public holiday.

The Department of Commerce consumer protection division is currently receiving applications for permits from representative industry bodies, such as the Retail Traders Association.  Other industry bodies wishing to apply can write to the department at consumer@commerce.wa.gov.au or to Locked Bag 14, Cloisters Square, 6850.

General retail shops that are not represented by an industry body are also able to apply on an individual basis.