Rest, not shopping, for Easter Sunday

Independent MP Gordon Copeland has called the Government’s latest moves to legalise Easter Sunday Trading flawed and confused.

“Two bills, one from National MP Jacqui Dean, the other from Labour MP Steve Chadwick, proposing Easter Sunday trading were both soundly defeated in Parliament as recently as May of this year,” said Mr Copeland.

“Unions, Churches, and many other New Zealanders combined to express their deep opposition to trading on Easter Sunday. A petition containing some 7,000 signatures was presented to Parliament.”

“The Unions made it clear that they do not want to work on Easter Sunday so that they can be with friends, family, and hapü on one of the remaining three and a half shopping-free holidays each year.”

“The Government’s latest proposal to declare Easter Sunday a public holiday so that shop workers and others are entitled to penal rates of pay completely misses the point. In this particular situation, workers are saying its not extra compensation they need, it’s a day off.”

“When so many people have spoken so clearly, so recently, I am just amazed that the Government don’t get it. I suggest that they simply abort their proposal for a public discussion document in relation to Easter Sunday trading and, just for once, listen to the voice of the people!”

ENDS

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