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Draconian trading hours belies WA’s booming economy - Peak retail body urges WA to allow Sunday trading

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has hit out at the decision of WA Premier Allan Carpenter to back away from plans to deregulate the state’s strict trading laws.

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has hit out at the decision of WA Premier Allan Carpenter to back away from plans to deregulate the state’s strict trading laws.

ARA Executive Director Richard Evans said while the economy is in boom time, the thriving retail precincts in West Australia go dead every Sunday due to draconian retail trading laws.

“With the resources export market thriving, retail spending in WA is still strong but the trading laws are not reflective of modern community demands for flexibility and ease of access.

“It’s incongruous that in Perth, consumers with cash in hand are denied the ability to shop or have a relaxing stroll through their local shopping mall on a Sunday yet Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin and Hobart are afforded this convenience.

"We all live in a 24/7 economy with the requirement and expectation of flexible trading hours and convenient access to products and services. In fact, we would like to see a nationalization of trading hours. In this time of difficult trading - any move from the government to support restrictions and red tape around trading hours is not welcomed by retailers.

“We call upon the WA Government and the Liberal Opposition to allow WA consumers to enter the modern world and deregulate trading hours,” Evans said. 

For over 104 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia's $292 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Workplace Relations Act and with a range of member services including business consulting, policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

For interview opportunities with ARA Executive Director Richard Evans contact:
Kath Christie, ARA Policy & Media T: 04222 5344 E: kath.christie@retail.org.au

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