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Retailers welcome new ministers in cabinet reshuffle

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association has welcomed today’s appointment of Senator the Hon Mark Arbib as Minister for Small Business and the Hon Bill Shorten MP as the new Employment and Workplace Relations Minister.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman extended thanks to previous Small Business Minister Nick Sherry and Minister Chris Evans for his work as the previous Minister for Workplace Relations, while looking forward to working with Senator Evans as he continues his work as Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Research.

“The ARA looks forward to the retail sector being strongly represented as a vital part of Australia’s small business engine by new Assistant Treasurer and Small Business Minister Mark Arbib.

“New Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten has a broad understanding of issues facing the retail sector after putting retail on the map when he instigated the Productivity Commission Inquiry into the Economic Structure and Performance of the Australian Retail Industry.

“The ARA looks forward to working closely with Minister Shorten again in his new capacity as Workplace Relations Minister given current wage pressures occurring in retail and especially in light of next year’s Modern Award Review.

"ARA would like to see small business and retail representation elevated to the Cabinet.

“The ARA looks forward to working closely with the new ministers to achieve positive outcomes for the future of retail, a sector which employs 1.2 million people and represents a large part of Australia’s thriving small business sector, “Zimmerman said

For over 100 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia’s $240 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 and with a range of member services including 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.

-ends- For interview opportunities with ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman
contact: Andie McMaster, Media and Communication Officer T: 0408 613 178 E: media@retail.org.au

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