Back the retailers that back Victoria: ARC sets out election priorities

The Australian Retail Council (ARC) is calling on all parties contesting the Victorian election to commit to safer shops, lower business costs and reforms that help retailers invest and create jobs. 

Launching ARC’s Victorian election priorities, Chief Executive Officer Chris Rodwell said the next government must address the pressures facing a sector employing more than 360,000 Victorians. 

“Retailers work hard to support their local communities every day. They provide an essential pathway for young people to enter the workforce and make sure households can access the goods they need,” Mr Rodwell said. “But too many are dealing with violent repeat offenders, rising business costs, over regulation and unnecessary roadblocks and delays when they want to open or expand. This election, we want clear commitments that give retailers confidence to invest in Victoria and keep employing Victorians.” 

ARC’s election platform sets out five priorities for the next Victorian Government: 

• Protect retail workers and customers through stronger workplace protection orders, permanent statewide Operation Pulse policing and coordinated action against repeat offenders and illicit trade. 

• Reduce the cost of doing business by reviewing the state’s business tax burden, increasing the payroll tax threshold and removing payroll tax surcharges. 

• Cut unnecessary red tape through an independent regulatory audit, simpler licensing and a dedicated minister responsible for red tape reduction and regulatory harmonisation. 

• Improve freight and deliveries through investment in critical freight infrastructure, more productive freight vehicles and consistent delivery rules across councils. 

• Speed up planning reforms through binding approval timeframes, less duplication and more flexible zoning that supports new and expanding retail businesses. 

Mr Rodwell said protecting retail workers and customers from violent offenders must be an immediate priority, and welcomed the Liberals and Nationals’ commitment to introduce interim workplace protection orders and bring forward the scheme’s commencement to 1 February 2027. 

“What we are seeing every day in Victoria is completely unacceptable. No one should have to turn up to work wondering if they will be abused, threatened or physically assaulted,” he said. 

Mr Rodwell said the next government must also tackle the costs and regulatory barriers holding Victorian retailers back. 

“High taxes, levies and surcharges take money away from investment, additional staff and business growth. We need a serious review of that burden and a sustained commitment to bring it down,” he said. “Small businesses also spend too much time navigating overlapping rules and permits. A dedicated minister must be accountable for delivering a measurable reduction in that workload. 

“Retailers tell us Victoria is a very difficult place to do business. But it doesn’t have to be this way. If the next government commits to these priorities, we can turn things around for retail and help build a more prosperous Victoria, with more jobs, safer communities and better living standards.”