The Epoch Times
The Epoch Times
AD
The Epoch Times
Support Us
SHARE
World NewsAustralia News

Bottle Shops Close on Anzac Day in NSW

The move has the backing of a major Labor affiliated union.
Copy
Facebook
X
Truth
Gettr
LinkedIn
Telegram
Email
Save
Bottle Shops Close on Anzac Day in NSW
Police and Schoolies are seen outside a bottle shop in Surfers Paradise during Schoolies Week on the Gold Coast, Australia, on Nov. 16, 2024. AAP Image/Jason O'Brien
Monica O’Shea
By Monica O’Shea
4/24/2025Updated: 4/24/2025
0:00

The majority of bottle shops in New South Wales (NSW) will close on ANZAC Day following a regulation change by the state government.

The NSW government passed legislation in 2024 that stops all retailers, including liquor stores and supermarkets, from operating on the public holiday. Limited exemptions will apply to liquor outlets attached to a pub.

ANZAC Day commemorates the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915, and all those who served and died in conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

It is traditionally marked by many with a few drinks at a local community club or Returned Service League (RSL) Club following a dawn or morning service.

Retail Drinks Australia described the bottle shop closures as unfair, discriminatory, and anti-competitive, noting that 2,400 liquor retailers would be impacted.

The national advocacy group said despite every effort, recent changes by the NSW government would go ahead, forcing “80 percent of NSW bottle shops to remain closed for the entire day.”

Related Stories
Queenslanders Gather in Their Thousands for Anzac Day
4/25/2024
Queenslanders Gather in Their Thousands for Anzac Day
Australia Commemorates Anzac Day to Remember the Fallen
4/25/2024
Australia Commemorates Anzac Day to Remember the Fallen

They noted that other licensed businesses are still able to freely trade and sell takeaway alcohol.

CEO Michael Waters said people taking part in Anzac Day should be able to commemorate however they choose, whether attending community ceremonies, joining family and friends at a BBQ, or having a quiet drink remembering old mates.

“As a key sector within the broader liquor industry, our members have retailed responsibly and respectfully on this day for decades, servicing their local communities—they respect the significance and importance of ANZAC Day,” he said.

“Despite all attempts with the NSW government, no change is coming this year. We’ve appealed to the premier for fairness. We’ve called on the minister for industrial relations for common sense. We’ve asked other ministers and local MPs for action, with no resolution reached to date.

“All we want is for bottle shops to be able to open from 1 p.m. as they have done previously, to maintain all existing employee protections, to ensure consistency between relevant legislation, and to support small business viability in local communities.”

Waters said more than 100 exemption applications had been lodged with NSW Fair Trading and “every single one” had been rejected.

“Applicants are being told they do not meet the ‘exceptional circumstance’ or ‘public interest’ thresholds, yet, when asked, NSW Fair Trading has not been able to qualify what those thresholds are,” he said.

NSW Government, Unions, Defend Bottle Shop Closures

Veterans Minister David Harris and Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis defended the trading restrictions, saying they enabled workers and business owners to participate in community events.

Harris said Anzac Day was one of Australia’s most significant days for the community to come together and commemorate sacrifice and service.

“Restricting trading on Anzac Day will allow workers and businesses to pay their respects to those who have served and sacrificed protecting our country and helps ensure the sanctity of remembrance is given the status it deserves,” he said.

The move received strong backing from Labor-backed union, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA).

Secretary of the NSW branch, Bernie Smith, said shop workers across NSW were “pleased” shops were closed all day this year.

“We owe our veterans and current serving ADF personnel a debt of gratitude for their sacrifice 365 days a year. We can all stop shopping for one whole day to commemorate that sacrifice,” he said.

Meanwhile, NSW RSL President Mick Bainbridge added, “We must do all that we can to preserve the Anzac spirit and ensure the unique sacrifices of our servicemen and women, past and present, and their contribution to our Australian way of life are never forgotten.”

“Anzac Day is the most sacred day on our national calendar and it’s important that every Australian has the opportunity to pause, reflect and honour those who have served and who continue to serve.”

Meanwhile, bottle shops can open in the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, Tasmania, Victoria, and South Australia. In Western Australia, bottle shops must be closed with limited exemptions.

Monica O’Shea
Monica O’Shea
Author
Monica O’Shea is a reporter based in Australia. She previously worked as a reporter for Motley Fool Australia, Daily Mail Australia, and Fairfax Regional Media. She can be reached at monica.o'[email protected]
Author’s Selected Articles

Greens to Continue Gaza Campaign for a ‘Free Palestine’

May 17, 2025
Greens to Continue Gaza Campaign for a ‘Free Palestine’

Liberal Andrew Hastie Eyes Future Leadership

May 15, 2025
Liberal Andrew Hastie Eyes Future Leadership

Coalition Set for ‘Robust Debate’ on Nuclear and Net Zero, Says Jacinta Price

May 14, 2025
Coalition Set for ‘Robust Debate’ on Nuclear and Net Zero, Says Jacinta Price

‘Extremely Dangerous’: Australians Warned Not to Travel to Ukraine

May 13, 2025
‘Extremely Dangerous’: Australians Warned Not to Travel to Ukraine
Save
The Epoch Times
Copyright © 2000 - 2025 The Epoch Times Association Inc. All Rights Reserved.