The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) welcomes the South Australian Government’s introduction of legislation to extend trading hours on Sundays, which will deliver benefits for retailers and consumers across the state.
The proposed legislation will enact amendments that permit shops in Adelaide to open from 9am on Sundays, creating two extra hours for retailers to trade and for consumers to shop. It will also confirm Boxing Day trading hours for store across metropolitan Adelaide, which will be allowed to open from 9am to 5pm.
ARA CEO Paul Zahra said that whilst small in scope, the changes represent important progress in modernising South Australia’s outdated and fractured trading hour regime.
“Trading hour reform is central to the ARA’s advocacy efforts for our members. Today’s action sets the parliamentary process in motion, which is a positive step for retailers and their teams and for customers who will equally benefit from extended trading on Sundays,” Mr Zahra said. “South Australian visitors both domestic and international will also benefit from this move.”
“There’s no logic to retaining the 11am opening time on Sundays, which only acts to be a handbrake on the South Australian economy – particularly during this critical time in our recovery. Moving to a 9am open time is a welcome improvement.
“While the ARA continues to strongly support deregulation of shop trading hours, as has been successfully implemented for the benefit of retailers and consumers in other states, today’s action by the South Australian government represents solid progress given the hurdles other reform attempts have failed to clear.
“The ARA strongly supports the legislation and looks forward to continuing productive relations with the South Australian government about retail reforms and initiatives that will benefit our economic recovery,” said Mr Zahra.
