Too many clauses cause Santa shortage

It is one Christmas list that is proving too much for even the most determined Santa - a multitude of politically correct clauses has caused a shortage of jolly, bearded fellows in Australian shopping malls.

Disillusioned by a growing number of rules imposed by recruiting agencies and shopping centres to guard against litigation, men who have brought smiles to the faces of thousands are reluctantly deciding to call it quits.

In some centres they can no longer hand out lollies, pat children on the head for fear of insulting religious beliefs, put children on their laps unless they get permission from parents and they cannot have photographs taken with youngsters unless their hands are in full view.

So worried have some Santas become of being sued that they are demanding extra helpers to act as witnesses just in case a complaint is made.

For Perth's Athol Marsh, who has worn the red-and-white suit for 41 years, the pressure of being politically correct has become too much - this will be his last year playing Father Christmas.

"You want to keep a child's dream alive but it's no longer working because of the stupid rules.

"There are still Santas in stores, but the heart has gone out of them," he said.

"How can you stop a child running up to you and leaping into your arms? Do you just drop them and say: 'Sorry, against the rules'?

"Kids run and cuddle Santa because they love the guy in the red suit."

Santas are even being told not to go around saying 'Ho, ho, ho' because they may frighten children.

Another Santa heading for retirement, John Gomez, feared Santas in shopping centres and public areas would eventually be shielded behind glass screens, away from children.

"It used to be a fun job. I used to look forward to it every year, but not any more," he said.

"The fear of litigation hangs over you because you might have grabbed a kid the wrong way or helped a kid in the wrong way."

The Sunday Times newspaper in Perth reported shopping centres and other venues are battling to find enough Santas.

Perth-based Westaff, which employs Santas every year, is still 10 short with only three weeks until Christmas.

A Westaff spokeswoman said Santa recruits were given a list of rules to follow at an annual training session.

Some rules had been introduced to protect the Santas and shopping centres from possible litigation, she said. Santas also required a police clearance.

- NZPA