Western Australians set to have final say on extra shopping hours for Perth

9/11/04 Premier Geoff Gallop today unveiled plans for a referendum to be held on retail trading hours for the Perth metropolitan area.

9/11/04
Premier Geoff Gallop today unveiled plans for a referendum to be held on retail trading hours for the Perth metropolitan area.
Dr Gallop said Western Australians must be given the chance to decide when they wanted to shop in the metropolitan area.
"It's time for people to have their say on trading hours for retail shops across Perth," he said.
"My Government will put a Bill before Parliament for a referendum to be held in conjunction with the next State election.
"Previous attempts by the Government to reach a compromise on shopping hours and create legal certainty for retailers have been blocked by the Liberals.
"This could result in costly legal challenges and there is an ongoing, yet unresolved, community debate about shoppers in Perth being given limited choice.

"We have to clean up this mess.
"I believe a referendum will sort it out because, instead of people being told when they can shop in the metropolitan area, they can tell the politicians what they want.
"A referendum is the only way to seek a clear mandate and I commit Labor to implementing what people choose."
The Premier said it seemed clear that Perth shoppers wanted more choice, but the extent of that choice could be a decision for the whole community.
He said when people went to vote at next year's election, they could decide two questions:
Extended weeknight shopping

  • Are you in favour of trading hours in the Perth metropolitan area being extended to allow general retail shops to trade until 9pm Monday to Friday?
Extended Sunday shopping
  • Are you in favour of trading hours in the Perth metropolitan area being extended to allow general retail shops to trade for six hours on Sunday?
"The State Government has been committed to good management, unlike the Liberals who had five deficits in eight years and made changes to retail regulations which could be challenged as unlawful," Dr Gallop said.
"Now it is time for people to decide when they want to shop."
The referendum questions will relate only to shopping hours in the Perth metropolitan area because people living in regional WA already have the capacity to choose their own trading hours. They will still have the right to vote on the referendum questions.
Premier's office: 9222 9475