SAM BRADBROOK & LIAM PHILLIPS
GAWLER Returned and Services League president Paul Little has downplayed supermarkets being allowed to open on Anzac Day, saying he has “no problem with it”.
The State Government announced last week supermarkets would be allowed to open on Anzac Day at midday as part of a 30-day extension on deregulated shopping hours.
The move was met with some backlash from the public, including Member for Spence Nick Champion, who said on his Facebook page South Australians “believe that Anzac Day should be a day focussed on honouring those who have died and suffered through the old and new wars”.
Mr Little though said although some veterans were concerned with the move, it failed to worry “most” others.
“Once the dawn service is out of the way, which is the most sacred time for us, I don’t see any real problem with it,” he said.
“If there was a march going in Adelaide I could understand it and wouldn’t want the shops opening until after the march. But the dawn service is the most important part and once that’s out of the way, my own belief is that I have no problem with it.
“I’ve spoken to some other veterans, and some think it shouldn’t happen, but most aren’t concerned because the most important thing to them is the dawn service.”
The current State Government-ordered exemption expired on Sunday and saw supermarkets extend trading hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Treasurer Rob Lucas said the extended hours would “help support vital social distancing measures and cater for vulnerable customers”.
“In these unprecedented times, we want to make it as easy and safe as possible for South Australians to get the groceries they need, while giving supermarkets the flexibility they need to cater for increased consumer demand while supporting staff,” he said.
“We’ve already seen supermarkets embrace the extended hours, opening later at night, earlier on weekends and creating dedicated community hours for special groups, including the elderly and people with a disability as well as emergency services and healthcare workers.”
All employees working during the extended hours would do so strictly on a voluntary basis and no-one can be forced to work the additional hours.
