In a win for local retailers and consumer choice, Western Sydney residents are able to take part in Boxing Day sales closer to home today rather than being forced to travel to the CBD, Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations Gladys Berejiklian said.
State Parliament backed the NSW Government’s plan last month to amend retail trading laws to allow all shops across NSW to trade on Boxing Day subject to staff freely electing to work.
“Bargain hunters across Western Sydney and regional NSW will finally have the option of shopping closer to home today,” Ms Berejiklian said. “For many shoppers across NSW, this is the very first time they will be able to shop locally on Boxing Day thanks to the NSW Government’s reforms.”
Under the old rules, residents of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and CBD were able to access Boxing Day sales locally while people in Western Sydney were not. Shops in Newcastle and Wollongong were also prevented from trading.
“Now, all shops across the State have the choice to take part in this important day in the retail calendar,” Ms Berejiklian said. “This means local dollars being spent in local stores which is a welcome boost to businesses right across the State.”
The Treasurer again reminded retailers that the legislation made clear that all staff working today must have freely elected to do so. Fines of up to $11,000 per person found to have been coerced to work may apply.
Shopkeepers who did not want to trade on Boxing Day or did not have staff members that freely elected to work could not be compelled by their landlord to open. Any lease arrangement that compels them to do so is voided by the Retail Trading Act. Any breach may attract a fine of up to $22,000.
Extra resources have been dedicated to ensure employers and businesses comply and that all complaints are followed up. Anyone with concerns should call NSW Industrial Relations on 131 628.
