The Queensland Government is considering changes to trading hours to end consumer confusion and boost jobs.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said an independent review into Queensland’s retail trading hours has recommended they be simplified and made more customer friendly.
The Government is currently considering the recommendations of the review.
The Premier said the current arrangements where some butchers cannot open on Sunday, when a lot of people enjoy a BBQ, did not pass the common sense test.
“All butcher shops and bulk meat retailers should have their trading arrangements aligned with shops selling fish, fruit and vegetables and takeaway food,” she said.
“The review’s findings made it very clear that the patch-work of over regulation of trading hours no longer suits our modern lifestyles.
“Many customers buying from hardware and building material suppliers want them to open much earlier, particularly on weekends.
“It makes sense to get in early and buy your timber and paint supplies, especially during our hot summers.”
The proposal is for these stores to be able to open at 6:00am across south east Queensland on Sundays.
“We must cut needless red-tape and ease the regulatory burden for retailers. Our approach to the review recommendations is to not to force businesses to open longer, but give them the choice to do so,” the Premier said.
Other issues identified by the review included the anomaly that Queenslanders could buy a boat on Sunday, but not a car or a caravan.
The trading hours review was chaired by former Queensland Parliament Speaker John Mickel.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said the review found existing retail trading hours were complex and costly, and were holding back job opportunities and the economy.
The retail trade sector is the state’s second largest employer with a 255,000 workforce and a $9.9 billion payroll.
In 2013, the Queensland Competition Authority estimated retail trading hour reforms could provide a net economic benefit of $200 million per annum.
“The review – the first major study of shop trading hours in 20 years – considered a wide range of submissions from consumers, workers and business owners,” the Minister said.
“No workers will be made to work any additional hours which could result from increased trading hours unless they have voluntarily agreed to do so.”
The trading hours review discussion paper is available online (PDF)
