Tasmania’s near-century-old Anzac Day laws are set for a shake-up, with the state government promising to cut red tape for small businesses and explore a new fund for veterans.
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Gavin Pearce has announced that the government would modernise the Anzac Day Observance Act 1929.
The act dictates how businesses, sporting events and entertainment operate on April 25 each year.
Most shops must stay shut until 12:30pm, though pharmacies, service stations, takeaway outlets and smaller stores are among those exempt.
Paid sporting events also cannot start before then.
That rule made headlines in April, when the AFL was forced to delay its Anzac Day matches at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium to comply with the law.
Pearce said the Act was almost 100 years old and the government wanted to make sure it was modern and fit for purpose.
“We need to make it easier for businesses and organisations to understand their requirements and clearly outline when they need to seek approval to operate, trade or hold events on Anzac Day,” he said.
“There is a clear amount of red tape we can slash for businesses and there are government administrative efficiencies that we can also achieve.”
The government also wants to back veterans’ groups such as RSL Tasmania.
One idea on the table is taking a percentage of revenue from ticket sales or gate takings at major sporting events held on Anzac Day and investing it into a new Veterans’ Fund.
The idea also touches on a quirk in the current law. The act’s title still refers to an Anzac Day Trust and Trust Fund, but the sections that created that fund were repealed in 2020.
The legislation also carries some dated language.
It still regulates events such as a “bazaar, fete, fair, market or trade exhibition” using “barrows, stalls, tables or other similar apparatus”.
Pearce said the government would look at how other states handled the day.
“We will be looking at how other jurisdictions operate on Anzac Day, alongside engaging with stakeholders across the small business and veterans’ sectors,” he said.
Tasmania’s rules are among the tighter ones in the country.
Victoria restricts trade and entertainment until 1pm, while the Northern Territory has largely deregulated the day.
The government expects to finish the work by the end of 2026.
