It was simply not right to be buying furniture, white goods, domestic electrical appliances, carpets, curtains or manchester outside prescribed opening hours and the Department of Territories and Local Government was planning a crackdown, The Canberra Times reported on this day 35 years ago today.
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A measly fine meant retailers were flouting the restrictions, even going so far as to advertise "Sunday sales". The fine was set to be increased from $200 to $2000 for first and second offences. Repeat offenders could expect to be hit with a $5000 bill.
Minister for Territories and Local Government Tom Uren said it would be irresponsible to allow further delay when action was needed on the issue.
"I am introducing the new penalties in conjunction with an extended Christmas trading to make it plain that the government will not allow de-facto seven-day trading," he said.
"It is only fair to the vast majority of responsible stores that the penalty be large enough to discourage continued flouting of the law."
But Canberra shoppers could extract the most out of retail opportunities on the four Saturdays in December leading up to Christmas, with shops open late - to 4pm.