Save our public holidays

For broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 16 Mar 2014.

Christian leaders from the Anglican, Catholic, Uniting and Baptist churches, and representatives of Wesley Mission and the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association, have signed an open letter to NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, urging him to guarantee that retail trading hours will not be extended to include Boxing Day, Anzac Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

The delegation presented their letter to Christian Democrats leader, the Reverend Fred Nile, who promised to personally deliver it to the Premier.

Reverend Nile said he remained committed to opposing the O’Farrell Government’s plans to extend retail trading hours to Boxing Day, saying it could eventually lead to further extensions of trading, including Easter Sunday, regarded as the most sacred day on the Christian calendar.

The Reverend Keith Garner, Superintendent of Sydney’s Wesley Mission, said the issue was about freedom for families to spend quality time together.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.