Retail Drinks Australia has slammed new trading restrictions for NSW bottle shops on Anzac Day as being “unfair, discriminatory and anti-competitive”.

The national industry body representing the interests of Australia’s retail liquor stores said the new laws will unfairly impact 2400 packaged liquor retailers across the state during Anzac Day, the vast majority of which are small, family owned and operated businesses.

From this year, retailers who were closed prior to 1pm on previous Anzac Days will remain closed for the entire day. Around 80% of NSW bottle shops to remain closed while other licensed businesses will continue to trade and sell takeaway alcohol.

“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,” said Retail Drinks Australia CEO Michael Waters.

“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.

“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 1pm 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.

“Over 100 exemption applications have been lodged with NSW Fair Trading and every single one has 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.

“We’re asking the Government to let people live their lives and to be fair and balanced when making laws. The current situation discriminates against bottle shops and makes life unnecessarily harder for people in this state with no clear benefit, and at a time when individuals and businesses alike are struggling to make ends meet.

“We’d encourage customers to take note that their local bottle shop is being forced to shut by the Government and to stock up at their store the day before if they’re able to.”

The NSW Government said the changes to Anzac Day trading restrictions were being made to ensure people can take part in events throughout the day to commemorate veterans and their service to our country.

The move to full-day trading restrictions follows a public consultation period, which received strong support from veterans, veterans’ organisations and the broader community.

The NSW Government said: “Anzac Day holds deep cultural and historical significance for many Australians, marking the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War, landing in Gallipoli in 1915.

“It is a time for all Australians to recognise the more than 1.5 million service men and women who have served our country in all conflicts, wars and peacekeeping operations. It’s also a time to remember over 100,000 Australians who sacrificed their lives in our country’s name.”

The day upholds several traditions, including dawn and sunset services, veteran marches and wreath laying ceremonies.

NSW Fair Trading has been working closely with industry groups to help businesses understand their obligations and provide time for operational adjustments.

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said: “Restricted trading hours help to honour the memory of those who served and ensure Anzac Day continues to hold important cultural significance across the state.

“This move is aligned with feedback sought on full-day restrictions last year which received strong support from veterans, veterans’ organisations, and the public.

“We appreciate the cooperation of retailers in observing these restrictions, allowing communities to come together in reflection and remembrance on this important day.”

Minister for Veterans David Harris said: “Anzac Day is one of our nation’s most significant days for the community to come together and commemorate sacrifice and service.

“In recent years, Anzac Day has continued to grow in popularity but for too long, there’s been those in our community who haven’t been able to attend commemorations due to having to work.

“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.”

RSL NSW President Mick Bainbridge said: “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.

“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.”

Secretary of SDA NSW, Bernie Smith said: “Anzac Day is a solemn day of significance for the whole community, including shop workers, to commemorate the sacrifices of Australia’s service men and women.

“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.

“Shop workers across NSW are pleased shops are closed all day this year so they can stop and commemorate with the rest of the community on Anzac Day across the whole day.

“We want to remind the public don’t forget shops are closed all day this year on Anzac Day.  Just be organised and get anything you need on the 24^th – because Anzac Day itself is for remembering, not shopping.”

To ensure compliance businesses affected by the updated trading restrictions should review their business hours for Anzac Day and communicate changes to staff as soon as possible.

For more information visit the Small Business Commissioner website.