Basil Zempilas, the leader of the WA Opposition, has promised to modernize Perth’s outdated shopping laws, particularly advocating for extended shopping hours on Sundays. During a recent address, Zempilas criticized Premier Roger Cook for being influenced by unions, specifically the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association, which opposes changes to shopping hours. Zempilas proposes that stores in Perth should be allowed to open at 8 am on Sundays, three hours earlier than the current 11 am opening time. He asserts that this change would enhance consumer choice, provide more job opportunities for casual workers, and align Perth’s shopping regulations with those of other major Australian cities. The Opposition plans to introduce a private members’ bill to facilitate these changes and also seeks to allow 24-hour trading on Black Friday.
Why It Matters
The current shopping laws in Perth restrict major retailers from opening before 11 am on Sundays, a situation that has been criticized as outdated and detrimental to local businesses. Western Australia’s retail trading hours are among the most restrictive in Australia, with the Business Council of Australia ranking them as the worst in the country last year. Despite requests from various business leaders for reform, the Labor Government has resisted changes to shopping hours. Zempilas’ proposals reflect a growing demand for modernization in retail practices to better compete with online shopping options and meet consumer needs in a rapidly evolving market.
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