Whether it be grocery, apparel, or homeware shopping, retail choice is a large driver of weekend activities for Western Australians.
Across the country, state and territory jurisdictions have steadily reformed regulations around trading hours, especially on Sundays, to give families and businesses more choice.
In New South Wales and Victoria, there are very limited restrictions on trading hours, meaning shoppers can access a variety of stores at times convenient to them.
Western Australia is one of only a few states that still heavily regulates and restricts trading hours.
Many retailers support more flexible and competitive trading hours, especially when competing against the increasing use and accessibility of online shopping.
Online shopping operates 24/7, making it the preferred option for many shoppers, pulling retail traffic from small businesses and larger shopping hubs.
This modern shopping environment requires a modern-day approach from physical retail precincts so they can adjust and react to market influences.
The WA Liberals know Western Australians — and Western Australian businesses — want flexibility when it comes to shopping for goods and services.
Our state’s retail businesses should be the ones who decide when to trade and expand their operations in an ever-competitive market.
Only a WA Liberal Government will ensure it happens.
The WA Liberals believe in giving businesses the choice of when to operate, and shoppers the option to shop when they wish.
Deregulation is in the Liberal DNA, and we are committed to making it easier for businesses to thrive by removing unnecessary restrictions and red tape.
Allowing businesses to determine their own trading hours not only supports entrepreneurial freedom but also ensures they can respond to the changing needs and preferences of their customers.
A WA Liberal Government will allow Metropolitan trading to commence at 9am on Sundays.
Flexibility in trading hours promotes economic growth, creates jobs, and stimulates competition, leading to better choices and lower prices for consumers.
Customers want to shop where and when they like, and a majority of retailers agree that these changes are essential for staying competitive in a modern, dynamic marketplace.
The practical effect of these overdue changes is that Western Australian consumers will have greater choice, and shops will open in line with other capital cities.
This will allow businesses to decide when they want to open — whether that means extending trading, or keeping the same hours.
This is about giving the decision-making power back to individual businesses.
Western Australian customers and business owners deserve a government that ensures businesses and employees can earn more in the middle of a cost of living crisis, and customers can access shops in line with other capital cities.
Only the WA Liberal Party will provide more flexibility to businesses, workers, and consumers, and put the choice back into the hands of everyday Western Australians.
