The South Australian Business Chamber Executive Director Industry and Government Engagement, Anthony Penney, said the Opposition and cross benchers had failed to listen to the majority of consumers who supported choice, and had instead put their faith in a small group of retailers and unions who were opposed.
“The Opposition has said retail workers deserve time off to spend with their families and friends on public holidays and weekends, but they have failed to see the job creation opportunities and economic benefits,” Mr Penney said.
“The Institute for Choice research showed 30 per cent would apply for a job in retail if shops were open longer, 35 per cent said they would shop more frequently, and 30 per cent said they would shop more.”
Mr Penney said deregulation opponents had failed to acknowledge that traders would not have been forced to open. They would not be forced to open late at night, earlier in the mornings or on public holidays. It would have simply allowed them to choose when to open and if it was of benefit to them, as has been the case in regional South Australia for many years.
“In this 24-hour world of consumerism, allowing shops to open when it suits them on weekends and public holidays would have helped level the playing field for those competing against online international retailers, allowing us to shop locally and support South Australians,” he said. “How can we grow the economy if consumers can’t support local traders when they’re closed?”
Mr Penney said the State Government had been left with only two options to carry out the will of the people – either hold a costly referendum or wait until the next election.
For further information or to organise an interview, please call the South Australian Business Chamber Director of Media and Communications Verity Edwards on 0412 678 942.
18 October 2018
