Shopping around for what South Australians really want
The Liberal Party is exploring community appetite for further extending weekend shop trading hours as well as allowing suburban shops to open on select public holidays.
The Opposition has begun new community consultation before Labor’s legislation – the Shop Trading Hours (Extension of Hours) Amendment Bill 2022 – is debated in Parliament.
The consultation will have a focus on extending weekend shop trading hours from the current 5pm close - an issue which has already been flagged by some stakeholders and the community.
Peter Malinauskas’ current proposal seeks to snatch away public holiday trading – robbing shoppers and business owners of the opportunity to spend and earn – in exchange for just two extra shopping hours on Sundays.
Leader of the Opposition David Speirs said “practical progress” based on the needs and wants of the community will inform potential Opposition amendments to the Bill.
“We welcome the Government’s move to allow shops to open earlier on Sunday mornings, but two extra hours a week doesn’t go far enough,” Mr Speirs said.
“We know full deregulation is off the table but that doesn’t mean we just give up on more flexibility for families and opportunity for businesses.
“Grabbing bread and milk on a weekend or public holiday should not be a mighty mission.”
Shadow Treasurer Matt Cowdrey said the changes proposed by the Malinauskas Labor Government amount to “one step forward and two steps back”.
“Labor’s proposed changes only address some of the shop trading issues that need to be dealt with once and for all,” Mr Cowdrey said.
“We know South Australians loved and enjoyed the flexibility of shopping on public holidays under the previous Liberal Government, so there is room for improvement on Labor’s Bill.
“That’s why we’re giving the community a chance to have their say on what they want.”
