Deregulation of retail trading hours is likely to become an election issue as both sides in the argument prepare for new, intense lobbying efforts.
Deregulation of retail trading hours is likely to become an election issue as both sides in the argument prepare for new, intense lobbying efforts.
The newly-formed anti-deregulation WA Retail and Small Business Association will officially be launched next week.
Meanwhile, the Retail Traders Association, a strong advocate for deregulation, has sought advice from several public relations companies for its Retail Trading Hours Reform Campaign.
WA Business News understands that public relations firm company Atticus Communications has been engaged to work on behalf of an unnamed organisation claimed to have an interest in extending trading hours but not supporting full deregulation.
And the WA Independent Grocers’ Association, which is a member of the WA Council of Retailers, is continuing to work with its PR firm Riley Mathewson to push its anti-deregulation case.
RTA manager Brian Reynolds told WA Business News that his organisation had not employed a PR outfit but confirmed discussions with public relations consultants had taken place recently.
“We are constantly developing our policies and there is nothing to be read into that,” Mr Reynolds said.
“Lack of consumer choice is an issue for us and we argue that consistently but were not about to ramp it up. Having said that, if someone else did something we would be called upon to respond.”
He said the RTA had not used a PR organisation during the lead up to the State Government’s formation of the Retail Shops and Fair Trading Legislation Amendment Bill 2003.
According to the WAIGA’s John Cummings, the debate is entering a new round as the State election looms.
“There are four pillars that mean something for small business,” he said.
“They are retail trading hours, industrial relations, mirroring the improvements of the Trade Practices Act in State legislation, and adequate tenancy laws,” Mr Cummings said.
The Liberal Party has said it will not support the Government’s RS&FT Bill, which extends weeknight trading hours but does not allow shops to open on a Sunday.
Opposition leader Colin Barnett will formally launch the WA Retail and Small Business Association next month.
In an invitation for the launch the lobby group says it is opposed to: “The drive for ever greater profits that turn customers into numbers in queues and ‘homogenises’ industries and product categories”.
WARSBA member associations include the Independent Action Group and the WA Retailers Association.
A spokesman for Consumer and Employment Minister John Kobelke said it was anticipated that the RS&TF Bill would be carried over for debate in parliament’s spring session, which commences on August 17.
If passed, shops in the metropolitan area will be able to open until 9pm weeknights from May 2005. Regional trading hours will remain unchanged.
