Retailers call on gov't to meddle on extended shopping hours curfew
Retailers are urging the State Government not to interfere on dictating trading hours despite an agreement where some stores are allowed to open until 9pm on weeknights.
The Labor Party has sealed an agreement with the Government which will allow several shops in the metropolitan area to trade with a specific closing time.
The agreement will also allow trading for durable consumer items on Sundays, such as white goods.
Wayne Spence from the Retail Traders Association disclosed that the agreement still creates an uncertainty.
“As we understand this legislation that will be put in lace will ony be for the term of this government. Now this stop-start, mish-mash type situation just can't go on... we just don't want uncertainty in our future plans,” Mr. Wayne Spencer said.
Steve Hauville from Harvey Norman stressed the importance for changes in the legislation and thanked the Labor Party for supporting the deregulation of closing the shops.
"I'm really, really thankful that the Labor Party has acted to support deregulation at least in some form, but the appropriate thing to do is to deregulate absolutely.
"Sundays are still the best trading day for families throughout the world. It is our desire and our expectation that Sundays should be a free trade day for families."
Premier Colin Barnett said he acknowledged the concerns of the retailers on Sunday, but will pursue talks with the parliament on the matter.
Meanwhile, several retailers are concerned on other laws being altered where stores in tourism precints were allowed to open on weekends from 11am to 5pm on Sundays but a disallowance motion may be pushed through in the parliament today.
Andrew Hall from Woolworths said the move may force several stores to close their doors early.