Open for business ... Terri Irwin at Australia Zoo, which has been
criticised by the Queensland RSL for remaining open to the public
all day on Anzac Day.
RSL Queensland says Australia Zoo should face the full weight of the law after it remained open for business on Anzac Day.
State branch chief executive Chris McHugh today slammed the decision as a display of "crass commercialism".
"We are exceptionally disappointed in what they have done," Mr McHugh told brisbanetimes.com.au.
"The law is quite explicit ... they have thumbed their nose at a convention which all other businesses accept.
"You have to question what they thought they would achieve by doing that."
The Department of Justice is investigating why the Sunshine Coast zoo was open all day despite a ban on places of amusement operating before 1.30pm.
The home of the late Steve Irwin faces a maximum penalty of $20,000 if found to have breached trading hours laws.
But a spokeswoman for the park has defended its actions, saying it held a commemorative service in the Zoo's Crocoseum, including a minute's silence.
"Australia Zoo is a proud Australian business and on Sunday joined Australians around the country, marking their respects by hosting an ANZAC Day commemorative service in the Zoo's Crocoseum," the spokeswoman said.
"Patrons were up standing and acknowledged a minute's silence as ex-service veteran Alan Wilcocks, from Beerwah RSL Sub Branch, read out The Ode and bugler Sam Robb played The Last Post."
However, Mr McHugh said the zoo's decision to hold a memorial service at 11am did not make it exempt from the law.
"It is drawing a very long bow. They opened at 9am. They are not supposed to open until 1.30pm," Mr McHugh said.
Beerwah RSL Sub Branch president John Rouhan said he was not aware Australia Zoo did not have a permit to open early on Anzac Day.
"We didn't realise that they did not have the approvals this year," he told the Sunshine Coast Daily.
"We will have to look into doing things differently."
Department of Justice inspectors are making inquiries with Australia Zoo.
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
COMMENT: Terri Irwin is coming across as an American smart ass over this issue. Australia Zoo obviously considers itself above the law. The suggestion that because they held their own Anzac Service at 11.00am - two and a half hours before they could legally open - somehow justifies their illegal conduct is totally outrageous. They are treating the Government and the public as dills. The Queensland Government should throw the book at them. And as an apology to the people of Queensland for their illegal opening on Anzac Day in 2010, they should be forced to close all day on Anzac Day in 2011.
