KEY POINTS:
The Government is inviting opinions on the future of Easter trading laws after two private member's bills seeking to liberalise the existing regime faltered this year.
Justice Minister Annette King and Labour Minister Trevor Mallard yesterday released a discussion document on options for Easter trading, inviting public input into the review.
The discussion document follows the defeat of a bill that would have allowed local councils to decide whether shops in their areas should be able to open on Easter Sunday.
An earlier bill that would have allowed all shops throughout the country to open on Easter Sunday was also defeated.
A number of exemptions for shops to open on Easter Sunday already exist.
Some tourist destinations, such as Queenstown and Taupo, can trade and so can dairies and service stations selling food, drink, household items and personal items.
Shops selling fuel and automotive parts are also able to open.
The same goes for shops selling mainly souvenirs, and duty-free goods. Pharmacies and garden centres are also exempt.
Critics of the laws say the exemptions, particularly in relation to geographical areas, are not wide or consistent enough.
The ministers said key questions for the review were whether legislative changes were required, whether the penalty regime for breaches should be changed and whether Easter Sunday should be made an official public holiday.
While Good Friday and Easter Monday are holidays, Easter Sunday is not.
The ministers said options included keeping things as they are, widening exemption-making provisions or removing the trading restrictions altogether.
The submissions deadline is December 14.
- NZPA
