The Nationals WA will revolutionise retail trading in the Perth CBD, allowing stores to open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in a bid to revitalise and reenergise WA’s retail sector.
Trading hours across the metropolitan region will also be deregulated, with local governments being empowered to determine the retail trading needs of their own communities.
Leader Shane Love will make the historic announcement this evening at a campaign event in Bateman alongside local candidate Donna Gordin.
It is the first ever election commitment targeted solely at the metropolitan region from The Nationals WA.
Mr Love said the move was necessary to allow WA’s retail outlets to compete against online retailers and would help revitalise the Perth CBD.
“In order for Perth to become a modern, vibrant, 24-hour-city which appeals to local families, workers, and visitors, we need to make sure our trading hours meet the needs of consumers and businesses,” Mr Love said.
“WA’s trading hours are stuck in the past and in need of reform to give shoppers greater flexibility about when and what they purchase, while giving businesses and employees the ability to open and work when they want.
“The Perth City Deal will soon bring the Edith Cowan University’s Cultural and Creative Industries Campus to the city centre, with over 9,000 students and faculty living, studying and working in the CBD, providing further opportunity to stimulate the retail economy 24 hours a day.”
Mr Love said extending trading hours had significant support from retailers and consumers.
“A 2021 report from the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry found around 70 per cent of WA businesses and households want to see more freedom and flexibility around trading hours,” Mr Love said.
“Crucially, the majority of small businesses also support this move, dispelling the myth that small businesses are fearful or resistant to extended trading.”
Mr Love acknowledged it was a departure from The Nationals’ previous stance on trading hours.
“It has been almost a decade since our Party last reviewed trading hours,” he said.
“With the rise of online shopping, higher business costs, and a need to energise the Perth CBD post-COVID, we must adapt to the needs of the modern retail environment.
“This policy will also empower local decision making, allowing metropolitan LGAs to set local trading hours just as regional communities already do.
Bateman candidate Donna Gordin welcomed the policy, which she said would benefit WA families, workers, and retailers.
“There are no restrictions around what time shoppers can jump online and purchase goods from Amazon, yet when it comes to our brick-and-mortar retail shopping hours, WA has not moved with the times,” Ms Gordin said.
“Extending retail trading hours in other States has also been shown to boost employment, particularly for young people and women, by creating more flexible working hours on weekends and after hours.”
In March this year, The Nationals WA also announced a boost for small and medium business by lifting the payroll tax threshold – a move expected to support over 11,000 businesses and boost investment and employment across WA.
“The Nationals WA understand that backing our business community is backing the future of our State,” Mr Love said.
“Our payroll tax policy and trading hours reforms show we’re listening to WA businesses and families, who say it’s time to update our outdated retail trading hours.”
Further detail of the policy will be announced at The Nationals WA State Conference in Bunbury on August 30-31.
