KEY POINTS:
The Government has ruled out any changes to Easter trading rules.
The Labour Department recently sought opinions on a discussion document on the future of Easter trading laws.
The discussion document followed the defeat of a bill that would have allowed local councils to decide whether shops in
their areas should be able to open on Easter Sunday.
An earlier bill that would have allowed all shops across the country to open on Easter Sunday was also defeated.
A number of exemptions for shops to open on Easter Sunday already exist.
Some tourist destinations, such as Queenstown and Taupo, can trade and so can dairies and service stations selling food, drink, household items, personal items and fuel and automotive parts were able to open.
Shops selling mainly souvenirs, duty free goods, pharmacies and garden centres are also okay.
Those wanting the current rules eased say the exemptions - particularly in relation to geographical areas - are not wide or consistent enough.
But Labour Minister Trevor Mallard today said the Government would not introduce legislation on the issue as submissions to the review were polarised.
Business owners and groups have generally supported an easing of the rules, while unions and churches back the existing rules, but with an increase in penalties.
New Zealand Retailers Association chief executive John Albertson yesterday said it was frustrating that another year had passed and recent opportunities to clean up the laws had stalled.
Green Party industrial relations spokeswoman Sue Bradford said last week the party would like to see the Department of Labour given the power to close businesses for the day if they broke the law, rather than the current $1000 fine.
Mr Mallard said sale of liquor issues that were also covered in the discussion document remained under consideration by Associate Justice Minister Lianne Dalziel.
National Distribution Union secretary Laila Harre today said retailers who opened on Good Friday and Easter Sunday should be prosecuted and lose the value of their entire day's trading.
"The current $1000 fine is pathetic and has allowed a small group of recidivist offenders to try to bully Parliament into changing the law. The Courts need to treat this offending more severely," she said.
Newmarket Business Association head Cameron Brewer said Parliament should have tidied up the issues around Easter trading, but it appeared the Government did not want to take a position in election year.
"Once again we're going to see Department of Labour inspectors out and about this Easter weekend issuing $1000 fines to some retailers and not others."
- NZPA
