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Media releases
For media enquiries and interview opportunities, contact the ARC media team on media@retail.org.au or 0434 381 670
All ARC media releases
Government’s plans on WFH legislation show there’s been no reset in relationship
Premier Ben Carroll offered a range of amendments to the work from home legislation before Parliament during a meeting today with leading Victorian and national employer groups.
Victoria’s workplace protection order laws fall short
ARC says Victoria’s workplace protection order laws will fall short of their objective after passing Parliament without urgent interim orders for workers facing violence, threats, abuse and intimidation from repeat
Retail spending improves in July but underlying growth remains modest
Australian retail spending improved in July, with consumers continuing to spend despite subdued confidence and persistent pressure on household budgets. Australian Retail Council analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics Household
Tobacco excise cut critical
The Australian Retail Council has reinforced the need to cut tobacco excise as part of broader reforms to tackle illicit tobacco and organised crime.
Retailers welcome Victoria’s stronger crime focus, but say more must be done
The Australian Retail Council has welcomed the Victorian Government’s recruitment of an additional 150 Protective Services Officers (PSOs), and extension of Operation Pulse until the end of next year.
Retail spending holds firm in June but real growth remains soft
Australian retail spending remained resilient in June, although weaker growth during the end-of-financial-year sales period shows consumers remain cautious and highly focused on value.
Victorian Workplace protection order bill welcomed as retailers await critical detail
The Australian Retail Council (ARC) has welcomed the introduction of long-awaited workplace protection order legislation in Victoria, while saying the detail will determine whether the scheme provides fast and effective
Super push for under-18s risks making first jobs harder to find
The Greens’ push to remove the superannuation exemption for under-18 workers who work fewer than 30 hours a week risks making it harder for young Australians to get their first
Save Our City Shops Alliance calls on the NSW Government to intervene and stop the City of Sydney from demolishing Sydney Town Hall shops
A coalition of union, business, retail, worker and community representatives has called on the NSW State Government to intervene and stop City of Sydney from demolishing Sydney Town Hall shops.
Retail spending remains resilient despite subdued consumer confidence
Australian retail spending remained resilient in May, with new Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data showing consumers continued to spend despite subdued confidence and ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
WA trial strengthens case for responsible suspect matching technology to protect retail workers
The Australian Retail Council (ARC) says Western Australia’s operational trial of live facial recognition technology is an encouraging step towards the responsible use of suspect matching technology, with the potential…
Threats against Victorian retail workers continue to rise as retailers wait for promised protections
New Crime Statistics Agency figures show threats, harassment and intimidation directed at Victorian retail workers continue to rise, reinforcing the urgent need for the introduction of Workplace Protection Orders promised
ARC submissions
Given the important role that the retail sector plays in driving economic growth, we seek government policies that:
- Support the economic impact generated by the retail sector;
- Restore business confidence, particularly for small and medium businesses;
- Increase consumer confidence and disposable income;
- Apply downward pressure on business costs; and
- Reduce complexity by driving national alignment on state matters