At a time when the Australian economy is facing possible recession, the Queensland Government is irrationally contemplating creating a half-day public holiday for thousands of Queensland workers on Christmas Eve. Jos de Bruin, CEO of MGA Independent Retailers, questioned this needless proposal by the Palaszczuk Government for Christmas 2019. Mr. de Bruin said, “At what cost does the Premier propose to achieve what she believes is fair?” He queried how Minister Grace Grace could justify her statement that “employers would be minimally affected”.
Mr. de Bruin urged the government to rethink this proposed change and concluded by saying, “Small independent retail businesses work hard all year for long hours and just at a time when the economy is at its lowest ebb for decades the Palaszczuk Government proposes increased penalties that will inevitably have a destructive impact on this hard-working sector. MGA urges the government to rethink this proposal and perhaps give it consideration at a time when the economy is buoyant because now is definitely not the time Minister!”
Jos de Bruin
