South Australians wanting to stock up on supplies towards the end of the Easter long weekend – during the next school holidays – will have the opportunity to shop closer to home, with the Marshall Government once again approving retail trade in the suburbs on Easter Monday – in addition to the CBD and regional areas.
Treasurer Rob Lucas has granted an exemption under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1977 which gives all metropolitan retailers, regardless of their size or location, the freedom to trade from 11am to 5pm on Monday, April 18 – if they choose.
Mr Lucas said it was necessary for him to take a decision now, given recent public statements by the SA Electoral Commissioner that an election result may not be known for about a week after the March 19 State Election.
"If, as the Electoral Commissioner has indicated, an election result may not be known until late March, this only leaves a few short days for the government to take a decision, announce it, and for retailers to make appropriate arrangements such as advising staff and organising rosters and supplies," said Treasurer Lucas.
"Now more than ever, our hardworking retailers and their staff need certainty, which is why I am announcing extended shop trading for Easter now to give them sufficient time to plan ahead," said Mr Lucas.
The move follows the overwhelming success of similar exemptions granted on Easter Monday over the past 3 years, bringing South Australia in line with every other state and territory.
"We know there'll be many families right across Adelaide who will welcome the greater freedom to shop towards the end of the Easter long weekend, including those who might need to stock up on grocery supplies during the school holidays," said Mr Lucas.
"Under our existing, archaic shop trading laws – larger supermarkets (those over 400sqm) and shops (over 200sqm) outside of the CBD are prevented from opening their doors, which simply doesn't make any sense.
"The Marshall Government's view is, and has always been, why shouldn't families in Elizabeth, Noarlunga, Port Adelaide, Tea Tree Gully and Marion have the same opportunity and freedom to shop as families near the CBD?"
"From supermarkets and homeware stores to fashion retailers and hardware suppliers, if traders want to trade, consumers want to shop and there are employees willing and able to work, why should our silly shop trading laws stop them?"
Easter holiday trading hours for non-exempt shops (supermarkets over 400sqm and shops over 200sqm):
Good Friday (April 15): CLOSED
(CBD, Metropolitan Shopping District and Glenelg Tourist Precinct)
Easter Saturday (April 16): Regular trade until 5pm
(CBD, Metropolitan Shopping District and Glenelg Tourist Precinct)
Easter Sunday (April 17): 11am to 5pm in the CBD;
CLOSED (Metropolitan Shopping District and Glenelg Tourist Precinct)
Easter Monday (April 18): 11am to 5pm
(CBD, Metropolitan Shopping District and Glenelg Tourist Precinct
