WA Labor backs 7pm weeknight trading

The state Labor Party has rejected Premier Colin Barnett's 8pm weeknight trading compromise, but says it will support 7pm trading if the government supports its small business protection package.

Opposition Leader Eric Ripper told reporters the decision comes after a caucus meeting today.

"Labor resolved that there is community support, in our view, for 7pm weeknight trading and if the government introduced that to the parliament, we'd be prepared to vote for that subject to the government's supporting Labor's small business protection package," he said.

Mr Ripper said that he was concerned for people who have a long trip home to the outer suburbs after work, and needed additional time to get their groceries.

"I think 7pm is a modest advance, its four extra hours of weeknight trading," he said.

Mr Ripper added that during community consultation regarding the 9pm weeknight trading, the party came across many people who opposed the later closing time, but said 7pm was reasonable.

He said that Labor's decision reflected was the party promised in its election campaing last year and was in line with the 2005 referendum where 59 per cent of Western Australian voted no to 9pm trading.

He added that Labor was ready to negotiate with the government on amendments to its small business package.

Comment was being sought from Mr Barnett at time of publishing.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA welcomed Labor's decision but said local businesses would be disappointed that Perth people were only given an extra 60 minutes.

CCIWA is driving a campaign to encourage people that support 9pm weeknight trading to write to their local member of parliament and log their support on a special website.

The lobby group said more than 15,000 emails had been sent to MPs in the first week of the campaign.

CCIWA argues that later weeknight trading will deliver more choice, convenience and lower prices at the checkout.