Religious leaders, SDA NSW Branch Secretaries Gerard Dwyer and Barbara Nebart and retail workers gathered outside NSW Parliament today to present NSW MP Fred Nile with a letter opposing the extension of retail trade hours in NSW.

Rev Keith Garner from Wesley Mission said he feared once these special religious and cultural days were lost, it would be hard for workers to regain the time with family and friends.

Uniting Church NSW Synod Associate Secretary, Rev Jane Fry,  told those gathered the Church saw the deregulation of retail trading hours as a social justice issue — people need the opportunity to get together for family and community time.

SDA Branch Secretaries Gerard Dwyer and Barbara Nebart shared stories of members who would miss out on quality family time if they were forced to work Easter. For many workers, special days are the only time when they can enjoy more than two days in a row away from work.

About 10 retail and warehouse workers represented the 500 union delegates and members at the Take the Time meeting in Redfern who were standing up for a better work/life balance.

NSW MP Fred Nile stood strong against NSW government attempts at allowing retail trade on Boxing Day back in 2012.

Yesterday, he confirmed his concern at any suggestion that NSW may extend retail trade on  Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day (up to 1pm), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Rev Nile will now present the letter received from religious and civil society leaders to Premier Barry O’Farrell. He hopes to personally deliver the letter.