Trucking operators hauling goods for retailers in Western Australia could soon become busier after the state’s government permitted Sunday trading
February 22, 2012
Trucking operators hauling goods for the major retailers in Western Australia could soon become a little busier after the state’s government decided to allow Sunday trading.
Major supermarkets and department stores will be free to open between 11am and 5pm on Sundays, while special trading precincts will be abolished under the move to amend retail trading laws.
Amendments to the Retail Trading Hours Act will apply to all metropolitan general retail shops. The special trading precincts in Perth, Fremantle, Midland, Armadale and Joondalup will therefore be abolished.
Commerce and Small Business Minister Simon O’Brien says the changes are part of the government’s commitment to relax restrictions on trading hours and create a fairer and more competitive retail sector.
“Since 2009, the government has introduced late night trading on weekdays and increased and expanded special shopping precincts to create more opportunities for consumers and traders,” O’Brien says.
“The precincts proved that there was a demand for shopping on Sundays and public holidays but gave the traders located within these precincts an unfair advantage over their competitors located outside. These amendments will address those concerns and produce a fairer and more equitable marketplace to benefit both traders and consumers.”
O’Brien says Sunday trading reflects the changing nature of the workforce, meets the needs of the community and the requirement for more flexibility.
The amendments will give the government the discretion to allow general retail shops to trade on public holidays, except for Christmas Day, Good Friday and ANZAC Day. The government will continue to have discretion when considering applications to vary trading hours in regional areas.