Western Sydney businesses oblivious to Anzac Day restricted trading laws

WHILE shops across the nation were shuttered until 1pm out of respect for our diggers, it was business as usual yesterday for these traders in Sydney’s west.

Shops in Wentworthville are allegedly illegally trading before 1pm on Anzac Day.

BUSINESSES in Western Sydney flouted the Anzac Day restricted trading laws yesterday, opening their doors in the hopes of capturing public holiday trader.

While shops across the nation were shuttered until 1pm out of respect for our diggers, it was business as usual at plenty of shops in Wentworthville when the Parramatta Advertiser paid a visit.

Many business owners, whose second language was English, claimed they were unaware of the rules, citing a need to capture trade to meet the cost of escalating rents.

Aryana Halal Meat was open before 1pm on Anzac Day.

Anzac Day is a restricted trading day under the Retail Trading Act, which means traders cannot operate before 1pm.

There are some exemptions to this legislation. Restaurants, newsagencies, fruit and vegetable shops, cake and pastry shops and chemists shops are among those allowed to trade.

Clothes shop T Store owner Justin Hong said his shop was open seven days a week.

Mr Hong said he wasn’t aware today was Anzac Day and opened his store at 9.30am.

“We have to work seven days a week. This area is getting less busy and rent is expensive. I’ve just come in today to see if there’s any trading,” he said.

Glong Thai Massage on Station St was also open.

Manager Rose Mathathong said she did not know she wasn’t allowed to trade before 1pm.

“I have a lot of customers who asked me to open public holidays. We have a lot of bookings today.”

Ms Mathathong did not apply for an exemption to trade.

Rose Mathathong outside her massage studio.

Other businesses that were open included Aryane Halal Meats and the Patel Brothers Indian Town supermarket.

Excellent Jewellers and Udaya Supermarket opened at midday.

Over the past six months, NSW Industrial Relations provided a webinar about changes to retail trading laws.

Inspectors also visited a number of shopping centres and stores to ensure storekeepers knew their obligations; and letters were sent to all major retailers and retailing chains as well as industry associations.

For more information or make a complaint, phone the Industrial Relations inquiry line on 131 628.

The approach taken is in the first instance to assist retailers to comply with the law — but if there is a flagrant breach, prosecution action will be considered.