UPDATED - Tuesday 17 April

The Office of Fair and Safe Work Queensland have released a statement to The Newsport regarding their recent inspection of businesses in Port Douglas on Good Friday.

Here's what they have to say:

Private Sector Industrial Relations (PSIR) received complaints that some traders intended to trade on Good Friday in contravention of the requirements of the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 (the Act) and the Trading Hours Order made by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) for non-exempt shops.

The general policy in these instances is to initially make contact with the retailer to provide information on the current laws and to seek an undertaking that the retailer will comply with the laws. Consideration is then given as to what further action may be necessary.

On Good Friday, PSIR inspectors conducted inspections to determine the levels of compliance in the Cairns Tourist Area, including the Northern Beaches and the Port Douglas areas.

Official warnings were issued to those traders who were found to be open and undertakings sought that the laws will be complied with in the future.        

The legislative penalty for a trading hours offence can be up to $20,000 for a company or $4000 for an individual.

The Act provides that independent retail shops (small shops) that are not predominantly food or grocery shops must close on Christmas Day, Good Friday and until 1.00pm on Anzac Day. The Act also provides that non-exempt shops (large shops) must close on Anzac Day.

In relation to extending the hours for non-exempt shops outside any specific closure under the Act, an application for a variation to the trading hours order may be made to the QIRC. Further details are available by calling 1300 592 987.

Trading hours legislation and orders are available on the Department of Justice and Attorney-General’s website at www.justice.qld.gov.au by following the links "Industrial Relations" and "trading hours."

Original article - Monday 17 April

Local retailers have voiced their disapproval for "archaic" trading hour laws which restrict many businesses from operating on some of the busiest days of the year.

Chamber of Commerce committee member and retailer Doug Calvert has been working hard to clarify the laws, with more than 50 local 'non-exempt' businesses expected to receive a written warning from the Office of Fair and Safe Work Queensland for trading on Good Friday.

"When retailers receive these letters they will be required to sign and acknowledge that they now understand the hours they are allowed to open," Mr Calvert said after speaking to one of the inspectors who visited Port Douglas businesses.

What are exempt shops?

Being Queensland legislation, Mr Calvert has recommended to the Chamber that immediate action be taken to obtain support from newly elected State Member For Cook, David Kempton, to commence the

process to have all Port Douglas businesses exempted by amending the Trading (allowable hours) Act 1990.

"This should be supported on the basis that we are a tourist town that survives solely on tourism and Easter is one of our busiest trading periods and businesses cannot afford to close for one of our peak trading days," he said.

"The Trading Hours Act for Queensland has always been in existence however this is the first time it has been enforced in Port Douglas to the inspector's knowledge."

But Mr Calvert warned business owners to be mindful of the restrictions on trading hours on ANZAC Day, with non-exempt businesses required to remain closed until 1pm or face fines of up to $20,000.

Inspectors reportedly issued three Good Friday warnings in Cairns and one in Palm Cove, dwarfed by the number issued in Port Douglas.

A number of readers expressed their anger at the crackdown on The Newsport article 'Good Friday? Not for our businesses' (Wednesday 11 April, 2012).

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