No plans' to change Sunday trading laws in WA

By Robyn Preston Aug. 18, 2013, 1:23 p.m.

Any changes to WA's Sunday trading hours will only be made after "consultation with interest groups," Commerce Minister Michael Mischin has said.

Mr Mischin has played down reports that shops will soon be allowed to open from 9am on Sundays instead of the current 11am start after an outcry from union groups.

"A further extension of Sunday trading hours would rob hospitality and retail workers, mostly women, of time with family," UnionsWA secretary Meredith Hammat said.

Ms Hammat said the move would also allow businesses to dispense with the requirement to pay employees more for working unsociable hours.

"Business has been campaigning hard to get rid of penalty rates, despite the fact there is no evidence this will create new jobs, and plenty of evidence it will hurt low-paid workers," she said.

Sunday trading started in Perth a year ago with Premier Colin Barnett tipping it to become the main shopping day of the week.

While Mr Mischin was quick to dismiss specific changes to WA's Sunday trading times, he did not completely rule out the idea of altering trading laws.

"Any changes of that nature will be made only after consultation with interest groups," he said.

"I have no plans specifically to change Sunday and Public Holiday trading hours at this time, but I am of course receptive to hearing about and considering any option for improvement if a case can be made for it.

"My objective is to continue to improve the retail trading regime and address anomalies and inequities that adversely and unnecessarily affect commerce and consumers, as they are identified."

Ms Hammat said no mention of plans to introduce a further extention of Sunday trading times had been made by the state government, prior to the March election.

"During the recent election the Barnett Government made no mention of plans to introduce a further extension of Sunday trading times. To do so now would be arrogant," she said.


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