Retail Voice CEO Message: 21 June 2023

It’s a huge day for NSW retailers and their teams, with the NSW Government introducing new legislation to implement tougher penalties for people who assault or abuse retail workers.

The landmark reforms – which were called for by the ARA – will see New South Wales and South Australia lead the way in legislating in response to the growing prevalence of customer aggression and assaults.

You can read our media release here.

We’ve seen a frightening escalation in retail crime recently, where in some cases it has become a matter of life-or-death for workers simply trying to do their job. We applaud the NSW Government’s leadership and consultation on this issue, and also thank the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association for their collaboration on this important advocacy.

This is something the ARA has been lobbying for, for quite some time. I’d also like to thank many of our Members for their leadership in this area – in particular Woolworths, Coles and Bunnings and those who participate in our Retail Crime Advisory Committee.

The New South Wales and South Australian Governments have set a strong example – one we will continue to call on other governments across the country to adopt.

On Thursday, the South Australian Government handed down its 2023-24 Budget.
The ARA welcomed a suite of cost-of-living relief measures announced – including energy bill relief for many small businesses. Read more about the budget here.
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce the ARA’s 2023 Sustainability & Innovation Breakfast in Melbourne on 30 August, which brings together retail leaders to showcase best practices and inspire positive change.
This new event includes an incredible speaker lineup. We will hear an exclusive keynote from Deloitte’s global sustainability lead Andrea Culligan, followed by a panel discussion featuring Officeworks’ MD Sarah Hunter, Woolworths’ Chief Sustainability Officer Alex Holt and Afterpay’s EVP and Country Manager Katrina Konstas bringing a Gen Z and fashion perspective.
Read more about the event and secure your tickets here.
As always, our membership team is here to help if you need any assistance, so don’t hesitate to reach out via email or on 1300 368 041.
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