Retail trading hours
18. Hon Wilson Tucker to the Leader of the House representing the Premier:
Western Australia continues to operate under retail trading hours that are increasingly out of step with the expectations of modern consumers.
Will the Premier be considering amending the most restrictive retail trading hours in the country and aligning WA’s laws with the rest of Australia?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I am sure he could guess what the answer is. I provide this answer on behalf of the Premier.
No. As it stands, smaller retail shops are allowed to open 24/7 and it is important that we support our hardworking small business owners. The only businesses that would benefit from the deregulation of retail trading hours are the big supermarkets and department stores. It would disadvantage small WA-owned and run businesses. Our government will always prioritise policies that support local WA jobs and local small businesses.
