We now have supermarkets opening until late at night and many retail business trading seven days a week.

There is also, each year, a push to open up on Boxing Day, Good Friday and the like.

The latest push is for trading on the morning of Anzac Day – traditionally a period declared clear of commercial activity to allow people to attend the memorial services and marches.

Kmart applied for permission last month to trade on the morning of Anzac Day.

Under the current legislation, it and other major retailers are able to open their doors at 1pm.

Staff would get at least a half-day holiday and the chance to honour the war service of family members.

We cannot understand what the company is hoping to gain – but we do know that if the application proves successful, it would open the floodgates, with Anzac Day becoming just another business day for workers and consumers.

The good news is that politicians on both sides of the fence appear unanimous in their desire to keep the morning of Anzac Day set aside for remembering those who fought for freedom and, in many cases, gave up their lives.

MP Kevin Andrews was on the money yesterday when he said: “Surely we can have a few hours of national reflection on the sacrifices that thousands of Australians have made over the years. We are talking about a few hours one day of the year we don’t have to have to have the shops open.”

Apparently Kmart will have to demonstrate exceptional circumstances and public interest if its application is to get up.

We fail to see how this can be done.

In our view, the public interest is significantly better served if the application is refused and Anzac Day stays sacred.