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Huge crowds flocked to the one Woolworths supermarket open in Queensland on Anzac Day after a legal loophole allowed the store at Brisbane Airport to stay open.
Queensland laws prohibit most big name chains from opening on Anzac Day, with Coles, Woolworths and Westfield Shopping Centres closed across the state.
But one clause in the legislation allows shops in airports to remain open for travellers – and that means the Woolworths at Brisbane Airport can sidestep the shutdown.
Huge crowds flocked to the one Woolworths supermarket open in Queensland on Anzac Day after a legal loophole allowed the store at Brisbane Airport to stay open
Word of the decision to fling open its doors quickly spread across the city and locals caught short of essentials flocked to the airport to stock up.
The wild scenes sparked controversy online after footage of the eager shoppers crowding out the store was published on social media.
Viewers were divided over the 24 hour shutdown – but most backed it and were amazed so many people could not survive a day without a trip to the supermarket.
Independent food and grocery stores can stay open as normal in Queensland on Anzac Day and other independent stores can also open after 1pm.
But big name chains are almost all closed. Similar rules also apply in Western Australia.
Queensland laws prohibit most big name chains from opening on Anzac Day, with Coles, Woolies and Westfield Shopping Centres closed across the state
‘Good lord, people are stupid,’ said one user on social media. ‘Nearly every area has at least one IGA. That should do them for buying essentials to last a day.’
Others questioned the need for so many to shop.
‘Only learns enough from two years of pandemic lockdowns to survive four hours without a biscuit,’ said one.
Similar shutdown rules also apply in Queensland on Good Friday, Christmas Day and Labour Day which is coming up on the first Monday in May.
‘It’s no different to any other public holidays in Queensland,’ added one. ‘Can’t go one day without going to a shop – it’s called being prepared.
‘It’s not like it’s sprung upon us all.’
The wild scenes sparked controversy online after footage of the eager shoppers crowding out the store was published on social media
Another said: ‘It’s only for one day – as you know the day is coming, you should be well prepared and stocked up.’
The closures still took some new residents by surprise though.
‘I had no idea there’s no shopping today. It’s only my second Anzac Day in Queensland,’ said one.
And others felt it was time to reconsider the closure orders.
‘I don’t have a problem with shops being closed today,’ said one.
‘But Queensland trading hour laws in general are wild and need to be changed if Queensland wants to be taken seriously as anything other than a hillbilly backwater.’
Others felt it was time to reconsider the closure orders
Another suggested: ‘Closed in the morning for ANZAC day commemorations. Open after 12.’
The Business Queensland website stresses that most public holidays do not enforce supermarket closures, including New Year’s Day, Australia Day, the day after Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Queen’s Birthday, local shows and Boxing Day.
Source: DailyMail
