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South Australian Treasurer Rob Lucas has announced that all shops will be allowed to trade on Australia Day between the hours of 11am to 5pm regardless of its size or location.
The special exemption will allow shoppers in the suburbs of Adelaide to shop locally in the same way those in the CBD and the regions have been able to do on public holidays.
“If shoppers want to shop, traders want to trade and workers want to work, they should have the opportunity to do so in their local community,” Lucas said.
“With Omicron prevalent in the community, this decision will assist social distancing and also allow families to shop close to their homes without having to travel."
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has backed the call made by the state government, with CEO Paul Zahra saying the exemptions are a boost for suburban retailers and consumers who can now shop locally on the January 26 public holiday.
“This gives consumers the option to shop locally, close to their homes – something that would normally be off limits on public holidays,” Zahra said.
“Whilst we welcome the exemptions for Australia Day, it once again highlights the need for long-lasting reform to the state’s trading hours regime.”
“Shops need flexibility to open when customers want to shop - in the morning on weekends, in the evening during the week and on public holidays.
Current SA laws do not allow shops in metro districts to be open during public holidays.
“We currently have outdated trading hour restrictions in South Australia that are not reflective of modern-day consumer behaviour,” Zahra said.
“We will continue to advocate for changes in this area to bring South Australia’s trading hours into the 21st century.”
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