THE 1950s-STYLE WOWSERS

The edict from the dinosaurs and Neanderthals in Victoria’s Labor Government that bans most businesses from trading on Easter Sunday is starting to fray at the edges. Thank goodness. Or “ thank God” seeing that it concerns Easter.

It was designed by this earnest, touchy-feely government so that ”Victorians families can spend more time together” at Easter.

On my 3AW radio programme yesterday I pointed out that the new law restricting businesses with permission to open on Easter Sunday to those with less than 20 employees was causing widespread confusion.

And, if the desire was to force families to spend time together, what about all the Mums and Dads corner stores that are permitted to be open and will probably have to be because profit margins are so slim these days and you have to pay the rent?

But the under-20 dictate means that a McDonald’s store cannot open on Easter Sunday if it is owned by McDonald’s. If it is in the next suburb and is owned by a franchisee then it can trade.

Department stores cannot open, hardware stores can’t if they are part of a chain, but the Casino can.

And, as I disclosed yesterday, petrol stations that are not independently owned must stay closed during a long weekend when people – travelling long distances -- need petrol more urgently than at other times.

And what happens to the roadhouses where the safety gurus keep telling us we should be stopping off for a coffee and a rest?

Well, last night the Government relented on that one. Who makes up these crazy laws?

Small Business Minister Marsha Thomson exempted the petrol stations.

She said” We are acting swiftly to ensure motorists are not inconvenienced over the Easter break”. Gee Thanks. How about all the other people inconvenienced by this 1950s-style wowserism?

The Easter Sunday trading ban was brought in as a sop to the unions. And I have received information why some unions are as happy as pigs in mud over the ban and the gazetting of Easter Saturday as a public holiday.

Some unions have negotiated an Easter break that won’t last four days or even five days. The CFMEU in its collective bargaining agreement with the building industry means no building site in Victoria will be worked on for eleven days. Eleven days!

They have put together a string of public holidays, rostered days off and Fix long weekend holidays that will run from April 17 through April 27.

And the builder who gave me that information is scared if his company name is used because he would be blacklisted. Talk about a gravy train.

Thursday, April 10, 2003

©Copyright Derryn Hinch 2002