Jacqui Dean
National Party MP

13 October 2006

NDU exaggerating Easter trading claims

The National MP behind a bill to ease restrictions on Easter trading says the National Distribution Union is exaggerating the effect allowing shops to trade on Good Friday and Easter Sunday would have.

Jacqui Dean is responding to comments by National Distribution Union secretary Laila Harre that any economic benefits of Easter Sunday trading would be outweighed by adverse social consequences, particularly for young people.

”Society has moved way beyond Monday to Friday employment, and young people in particular are very flexible in their attitudes towards work,” says Mrs Dean.

“Tourism in New Zealand is a 365-day-a-year industry and my bill recognises the nature of the tourism and retail environments in communities with significant visitor industries.

"I fail to see any adverse social consequences for young people going to work. “

Mrs Dean’s Easter Sunday Shop Trading Amendment Bill grants a partial exemption from the Shop Trading Hours Act Repeal Act 1990 to allow shops in communities with significant visitor industries to open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It is currently before Parliament’s Commerce Select Committee.

ENDS

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