Easter trading bill hotly debated

Jessica Mutch

Published: 1:08PM Wednesday December 09, 2009 Source: ONE News

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The recurring bugbear of Easter Sunday trading hours is back before parliament.

National MP Todd McClay's Members' Bill which would allow local communities to decide if businesses can trade on Easter Sunday was debated.

MPs have tried to change the law 10 times before.

The new bill has already sparked opposition from trade unions.

The National Distribution Union is planning a protest at parliament urging MPs to put families over commerce and vote the legislation down on Wednesday.

Labour and Green MPs are also supportive of trying to snuff out the bill, saying Easter Sunday should continue to be a day of rest.

Right now most shops have to stay shut on Easter Sunday or face a fine of up to a $1,000.

But McClay says his bill will give businesses freedom of choice.

"Open your shop if you want to but again if you don't want to, the law won't force you to either. It will be your choice."

Mark Thomas, owner of a Real Groovy music store in Wellington is supportive of McClay's bill.

"Customers want to shop, staff want to work. It's a day off that people want to go out and do something and relax and most cases go shopping, so it just makes sense for us," says Thomas.

National Distribution Union worker Margaret Dornan disagrees. She says the bill would steal her family time.

"They are making money but we are not getting our family time, so Easter is really about family," says Dornan.

Churches have also voiced their opposition to the bill and one church group Caritas says it wants to voice its opposition to the National MP and do it on a public holiday to make the point.

"We are prepared to sacrifice our time to meet with him and we believe he should do the same," says Michael Smith, Caritas CEO.

McClay says he is very happy to meet with them and has invited them to come and see him in Rotorua.

According to ONE News sources, the bill has the support of 60 MPs and needs just one more vote.

McClay's Members' Bill is a conscience vote, which means MPs do not have to toe the party line when voting.

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