- Queenslanders strongly encouraged to be patient and respect all workers during the busy Christmas season.
- The Crisafulli Government has a zero-tolerance approach to work-related violence and aggression.
- The Crisafulli Government is backing the Shopping Centre Council of Australia's coalition campaign "Be Kind in Retail" for the 2025 holiday season.
The Crisafulli Government is backing a collective national effort to give the gift of respect, patience and kindness to all workers over the holiday period.
As crowds gather in numbers at busy shopping centres, it's important for shoppers to pack their patience and treat workers with the respect they deserve.
The Crisafulli Government wants Queenslanders to remember every worker has the right to go to work, be well paid, feel safe and go home to their family.
The coalition of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA), National Retail Association (NRA), Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), Australian Security Industry Association Limited (ASIAL), Pharmacy Guild of Australia, and Building Service Contractors Association of Australia (BSCAA) is behind the "Be Kind in Retail" campaign for the 2025 holiday season.
With the theme of 'Kindness Never Goes Out of Style', the campaign encourages the community to be kind to retail and hospitality staff, pharmacy workers, security guards, cleaners and those doing long hours this holiday season.
Examples of violent and aggressive behaviour include workers being yelled and sworn at, pushed and shoved, threatened, intimidated, punched, and threats with weapons.
Retail industry workers have an increased risk of work-related violence with young workers and females over-represented in workers' compensation claims.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie said the Crisafulli Government had a zero-tolerance approach to violence and aggression in workplaces.
"Our message is simple this Christmas and all year round – be kind to workers," Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
"Workers in retail, hospitality and other industries are working hard across this holiday season and Queenslanders should be understanding and kind to workers during this busy period.
"We hope the extended trading hours allow businesses, staff and shoppers alike to take the stress and pressure out of the Christmas rush.
"The Crisafulli Government urges businesses to prepare and protect staff from work-related violence and aggression risks so everybody can enjoy a profitable, prosperous and happy Christmas holiday season.''
Chief Executive of the SCCA Angus Nardi welcomed the endorsement of the Queensland Government's Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie.
"It's really pleasing to support the Be Kind in Retail campaign with our partners, across more than 300 shopping centres, and 3,500 digital screens nationally," Mr Nardi said.
"Our campaign has a simple message for the community: Be kind and show respect in our retail environments this Christmas."
Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Retailers Association and CEO Designate of the Australian Retail Council Chris Rodwell said retail employs 1.4 million Australians, with many young people who are starting their careers.
"Every retail worker deserves a safe and respectful workplace," Mr Rodwell said.
"This campaign is a strong and united stand for change—one that reinforces the values of our sector and the expectations of our communities.
CEO of Australian Association of Convenience Stores Theo Foukkare said this was another timely reminder to treat people with kindness.
"Convenience and fuel retail workers face unacceptable levels of abuse, often in isolated or late-night settings," Mr Foukkare
"This campaign is a vital reminder that kindness should be the default in every customer interaction. We're proud to amplify this message across our 7,000 outlets and 80,000 staff."
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia's National President Professor Trent Twomey said community pharmacists and their teams were embedded in communities supporting patients in the treatment of everyday health conditions.
"They deserve to work in environments free from harm," Mr Twomey said.
"This campaign helps reinforce the respect and safety community pharmacists need to serve their communities effectively."
The trading hours of retail shops in Queensland are regulated by the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 (the Act). Many small businesses are exempt from restrictions under the Act.
Extended trading hours for large retailers like supermarkets, department stores and hardware shops will commence on 18 December and be in effect through to 23 December.
This will see stores across the state, including regional areas, able to operate until midnight. Trading is also permitted in these stores throughout Queensland on public holidays except Christmas Day.
Large retailers across Queensland may trade continuously from 7am on 23 December 2025 to 6pm on 24 December, Christmas Eve. Noting that Christmas Eve falls on a Wednesday and is a part day public holiday between 6pm and midnight.
The public holidays for the 2025/2026 Christmas/New Year period in Queensland are:
Wednesday 24 December 2025 - from 6pm to midnight
Thursday 25 December 2025 - Christmas Day
Friday 26 December 2025 - Boxing Day
Thursday 1 January 2026 - New Year's Day.
More details of shop classifications and trading hours are available on the Business Queensland website .
