Vic: Retailers largely adhere to Easter trading laws

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2003
Vic: Retailers largely adhere to Easter trading laws

By Karen Hart and Cath McAloon

MELBOURNE, April 20 AAP - Victorian traders have largely adhered to new Easter Sunday
trading laws banning them from opening today.

But for one rebel trader it was business as usual.

Frank Penhalluriack defiantly opened the doors of his suburban Caulfield garden and
building supply business, putting himself in line for a fine of up to $10,000.

"This is a fundamental freedom," he told AAP.

"It's such a silly law that says you and I can't do business whenever we choose to."

But AAP checks today of major supermarkets, hardware stores and retailers across the
state revealed all were closed.

Under the laws, shops can only open today if they employ fewer than 20 people or if
they fall into the exempt category which includes milk bars, petrol stations and news
agencies.

Businesses which flout the law risk prosecution and fines of up to $10,000.

Mr Penhalluriack, 61, who spent 19 days in jail in the 1980s for defying Sunday trading
bans, said he would refuse to pay the fine and would risk a fresh jail sentence.

He said Easter Sunday was traditionally one of his strongest trading days of the year.

"It's the end of the summer period. Winter's approaching. It's a last chance to finish
off some of the little jobs around the house," Mr Penhalluriack said.

However, he said today's trade had been far quieter than previous Easter Sundays.

"We're actually doing less trade this year then we did last year because people are
fearful that we are going to be closed."

Victorian deputy opposition leader Phil Honeywood said under a Liberal state government,
businesses would be allowed to trade on Easter Sunday.

He said it was a time when people worked on their houses or gardens and wanted to shop
at hardware stores.

"Under a Liberal government shops would be able to chose whether or not they wanted
to open on Easter Sunday. Many will lose valuable trade today," Mr Honeywood said.

Australian Retailers Association Victoria executive director Brian Donegan said the
new legislation was likely to cost Victorian retailers $150 million in lost sales.

Nonetheless, Small Business Minister Marsha Thomson said the majority of retailers
had adhered to the law.

"The new laws bring Victoria's public holidays and shop trading arrangements over the
Easter period in line with other Australian states," she said.

"This holiday is a chance for families to spend time together, and the new trading
laws give them the opportunity to do that."

She said police were responsible, and had been since 1996, for dealing with complaints
about businesses opening on non-trading days.

But Ms Thomson refused to comment on whether it was an appropriate use of police resources
during a period that is traditionally plagued by road accidents.

A police spokesman said officers would deal with complaints about businesses opening
as a low priority.

"There will be no shops shut (by officers)," he said.

AAP kh/gfr/sek/jlwq

KEYWORD: EASTER TRADING NIGHTLEAD

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