A group of singing santas, retail workers and religious leaders have protested outside the New South Wales Parliament building against proposed laws to extend Boxing Day trading across the state.
Currently only retailers in designated trading zones in Sydney's CBD and eastern suburbs are allowed to open on Boxing Day under the Retail Trading Act NSW.
But legislation would allow for Boxing Day trade in other areas across the state, including major trading hubs such as Parramatta, Liverpool and Wollongong.
Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA) New South Wales branch secretary, Bernie Smith, has called on Upper House MPs to vote the bill down.
"All they have to do is say no. Say no to extended trading and say yes to extended family time," Mr Smith said.
"There'll be no economic benefit at all if they extend trading time. But we all know the loss of family time that retail workers will suffer across the state."
The Baptist Church's Glenn Powell made a direct appeal to Christian Democrat Fred Nile, who holds the balance of power in the vote.
"It's just out of step with Christian values," Mr Powell said.
Upper House Opposition Leader Adam Searle said there was no economic benefit to expanding Boxing Day trade.
"The fact is there is the same amount of money to spend," Mr Searle said.
Currently only retailers in designated trading zones in Sydney's CBD and eastern suburbs are allowed to open on Boxing Day under the Retail Trading Act NSW.
But legislation would allow for Boxing Day trade in other areas across the state, including major trading hubs such as Parramatta, Liverpool and Wollongong.
Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA) New South Wales branch secretary, Bernie Smith, has called on Upper House MPs to vote the bill down.
"All they have to do is say no. Say no to extended trading and say yes to extended family time," Mr Smith said.
"There'll be no economic benefit at all if they extend trading time. But we all know the loss of family time that retail workers will suffer across the state."
The Baptist Church's Glenn Powell made a direct appeal to Christian Democrat Fred Nile, who holds the balance of power in the vote.
"It's just out of step with Christian values," Mr Powell said.
Upper House Opposition Leader Adam Searle said there was no economic benefit to expanding Boxing Day trade.
"The fact is there is the same amount of money to spend," Mr Searle said.
No comments:
Post a Comment