Opinion: Qld’s ‘dumb’ trading laws are actually a Christmas gift

Queensland’s Christmas trading laws have been slammed as dumb, but there’s an actual benefit to them, writes Kylie Lang.

Surely COVID-19 has taught even the thickest planks among us that panic buying is idiocy.

With a little common sense and planning, people won’t need to run out of food or behave like maniacs when large retailers in 16 regional areas shut down for four days over Christmas.

But the outrage is palpable from the National Retailers Association, which has likened the Queensland Government’s trading laws to a dagger through the heart of businesses already struggling because of the pandemic.

It’s called the shutdown – which only affects major stores and shopping centres, I might add, and has been in place since 2017 – “dumb”.

I don’t agree.

It wouldn’t kill people not to be racing around the shops after 6pm on Christmas Eve until first thing December 29.

What is dumb is not using the festive break to spend time with family and detox from unsatisfying retail therapy.

Besides, smaller retailers such as grocers, bakeries and butchers will still be open for necessities. No panic buying necessary, folks.

Yes, it’s been a crazy, chaotic and exhausting year – but that’s even more reason to give supermarket workers who’ve had to deal with rude and impatient customers time to chill.

It’s also an excellent motivator to get behind those mum-and-dad businesses that arguably have taken the biggest hit from the pandemic.

Besides, I’d have thought in lovely country towns such as Roma, Goondiwindi and Bowen, such community support was a given.