SA small businesses grapple with closure as penalty rates hit Easter Sunday for the first time   

9News.com.au
Mar 28, 2024

Business owners in South Australia say the increased cost of mandatory penalty rates this Easter long weekend will cripple their operations - with several deciding to close rather than face increased operating costs.
‌The introduction of public holiday penalty rates on Easter Sunday has placed
‌"We do have to charge an 18 per cent surcharge this weekend," Anastasia Drozdorff from the cafe said.
‌"But even with that surcharge we just break even. It won't cover all the overhead costs."


Premier Peter Malinauskas has defended the penalty rates. (Nine)
‌Despite the concerns, some customers told 9News they supported the surcharges and Premier Peter Malinauskas has defended the penalty rates.
‌"They'e giving up precious family time and I'm very comfortable with them getting a higher rate of pay for it," he said.
‌The debate over penalty rates has ignited discussions about the viability of small businesses, the importance of workers' rights, and the impact on consumers.
‌As the Easter long weekend approaches, the choices made by businesses and the reactions of customers will shape the future of holiday trading in Australia.

I don't get the complaints.  They want people to work on public holidays for free. If it's not worth it, just don't open.  I know my business is closed. I certainly wouldn't insist my staff give up their Easter for free.

whiteknight wrote on Mar 29^th, 2024 at 4:08pm:


Yes exactly - you want people to work premium valued hours you have to pay them the coresponding premium rates.