Bottle shops react to 'unfair' Anzac Day trading ban (2025)

Australia's nationaldrinks body has slammed a 'discriminatory' mandate that means bottle shops in NSW will be closed on Anzac Day for the first time.

Updated state laws ban retailers from opening on April 25, with the day to be devoted to rememberance of war veterans, whereas retailers in other states can open.

Retail Drinks Australia criticised the change of legislation as 'unfair, discriminatory, and anti-competitive laws' in a statement this week.

The body said the move will impact up to 2,400 liquor retailers across the state, the majority of which are small, family-owned businesses.

'Our members have retailed responsibly and respectfully on this day for decades, servicing their local communities,' CEO Michael Waters said.

'They respect the significance and importance of Anzac Day.

'People taking part in Anzac Day should be able to commemorate however they choose, whether [that is] attending community ceremonies, joining family and friends at a BBQ, or having a quiet drink remembering old mates.'

Mr Waters wants bottle shops to open from 1pm, as they have previously done, to ensure consistency, maintain employee protections and support small businesses.

Retail Drinks Australia said more than 100 exemption applications lodged with NSW Fair Trading have been rejected.

Applicants have reportedly been told they do not meet 'exceptional circumstance' or 'public interest' thresholds.

'We've appealed to the Premier for fairness. We've called on the Minister for Industrial Relations for common sense,' Mr Waters said.

'We're asking the Government to let people live their lives and to be fair and balanced when making laws. The current situation discriminates against bottle shops and makes life unnecessarily harder for people in this state with no clear benefit.'

The NSW Government introduced the law in July last year, hoping it would inspire more people to use the day to honour the memory of those who died in service.

Premier Chris Minns has previously justified the decision, saying 'no occasion could be more solemn or significant than Anzac Day' yet pubs will be open.

'It might be inconvenient for a few hours, but closing our biggest corporate shops for a single day is a small price to pay for living in a free and open democracy,' he said.

A spokesperson for NSW Government's Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis said retail trading on Anzac Day will be the same as Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

'This means packaged liquor stores will be closed, except for small traders which have an exemption to remain open,' they said.

'Hospitality venues such as pubs will continue to open and operate as normal.

'Anzac Day is a public holiday so that workers and communities can come together throughout the day to commemorate veterans and their service to our country.'

The change was made after a public consultation, which ran from September to October 2023, garnered strong support from veterans, veterans' organisations and the public.

The legislation change will also affect other retailers which were previously allowed to open from 1pm, including department stores and supermarkets.

Exemptions are in place for other venues including markets, small retailers, bars, cafes, chemists, newsagents and takeaway restaurants.

Dan Murphy's and BWS stores attached to ALH Hotels across NSW will also be exempt as they trade as part of the hotel's licence.

NSW isn't alone in enforcing full Anzac Day closures. Queensland supermarkets will be shut all day, except for Brisbane Airport's Woolworths, which opens at 1pm.

Most Dan Murphy's and BWS stores in other states will trade from 1pm on Anzac Day.

Shoppers are advised to check local trading hours to avoid being caught out.