Trading hours in Perth will be extended after the Government and Opposition agreed to a plan that will provide flexibility for shoppers with appropriate safeguards for business, including the establishment of a small business commissioner.
The decision comes after a year of battle between Premier Colin Barnett and Opposition leader Eric Ripper. While Barnett argued extended trading would add convenience and bring Perth up to date with other states, Ripper has argued small businesses need to be protected from inevitably higher wage bills.
The new deal, which is still in-principle and yet to be legislated, will allow metropolitan stores to open until 9pm, as opposed to the current limit of 5pm.
Shops selling “durable consumer goods”, such as whitegoods and furniture, will also be permitted to trade on Sundays, while a small business commissioner will be appointed to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.
Ripper said in a statement the commissioner is a key part of the deal, and the new role “will provide a low-cost non-litigious means of resolving disputes between landlords and tenants in retail shopping centres”.
Additionally, a shopping centre lease register will be created in order to promote transparency for tenants.
“The agreed package will also require landlords to maintain accurate and detailed lease registers that are available to tenants, prospective tenants and their representatives,” Ripper said in a statement.
“Together these measures will give WA businesses greater certainty and transparency and will safeguard small businesses from any downside of the new reforms…Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and the new Commissioner\’s role will mean they will continue to grow and prosper into the future.”
While the details are still being fine-tuned, Barnett said the rare moment of bipartisanship will provide more opportunities for both business and individuals.
Retail Doctor chief executive Brian Walker says the new deal will bring Perth up to date with businesses on the east coast.
“Retail is all about servicing customer needs. This decision is fuelled by customer demand, and commercially it makes sense. Some retailers would argue it’ll increase wages, but more trading hours do increase avenues for sales.”
“Anywhere up to 20% of trade is now done on a Sunday, and it’s become an accepted way of life….I think in the future we’ll see extended trading hours for specific seasonal times and sales.”
Trading laws in Western Australia, specifically Perth, are complex. Stores are divided into separate zones and must follow specific laws appropriate to only those areas, while Ripper has said the boundaries of some shopping precincts in Perth and Fremantle are set to be reviewed.
The strict regulations on extended and Sunday trading have been a subject of criticism by both business and individuals for some time, with some larger businesses saying they have deflected potential tourists.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
