Parliament  Urged to Pass Trading Reform

The Property Council strongly urges the WA Parliament to pass the proposed changes to the Trading Hours Act 1987, that will be put before Government next month.

The proposed changes call for:

• Earlier opening Mon-Sat and later Saturday closing for general retail shops
• Range of products widened for hardware stores
• Greater choice for consumers, and greater freedom and fairness for traders

Western Australian consumers and businesses will enjoy seven extra shopping hours a week under new retail trading hours being proposed as part of the State Government’s commitment to incremental reform.

The changes also include broadening the range of products able to be sold by domestic development shops, such as hardware stores, to include decorative light fittings and all types of cooling and heating equipment. These shops currently open from 6am to 11.30pm every day.

Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said the move was part of the State Government’s plan to introduce incremental changes to retail trading laws in WA and correct some existing anomalies, including the distinction between small filling stations and prescribed filling stations.

“The easing of retail trading restrictions will provide greater convenience, choice and flexibility for consumers while promoting competition and boosting employment opportunities in the retail sector,” Mr Mischin said.

“These reforms will also address anomalies which currently exist in the hardware retail market by adjusting trading hours and expanding the list of products that can be sold by this category of store under the Act.

“Other reforms include exempting Rottnest Island from the Act to allow shops on the resort island to trade at any time to be able to better cater for the needs of tourists, and removing the redundant special holiday resort provisions for Rockingham and Wanneroo.

“Another great step forward is removing the requirement for stallholders at short-term markets from having to apply for a certificate to trade outside normal hours, reducing costly and time-consuming red tape for those businesses and for government.

“In addition, Premier Colin Barnett recently pledged to extend Sunday trading hours to 9am if this government is elected for a third term in 2017, providing greater freedom, fairness and flexibility for retailers.”