Labor and crossbench unite to formally vote down shop trading deregulation legislation

THE State Government’s signature election pledge has been formally defeated in the state’s upper house.

• Your Say SA: Deregulation remains top of shopping list

THE State Government’s key election pledge to overhaul South Australia’s shop trading hours has been formally defeated in the state’s Upper House.

As expected, all five crossbenchers joined with Labor to vote down the legislation on Thursday afternoon, following a lengthy speech from Treasurer Rob Lucas railing against its defeat.

Mr Lucas has warned their refusal to back deregulation could result in further restrictions to the hours in which people can shop, as the State Government cracks down on traders flouting current laws.

The resolution will be welcomed by the state’s Shoppies union and the Independent Retailers’ lobby.

The vote comes just over a week after the Sunday Mail’s Your Say SA survey of more than 4000 South Australians revealed strong support for deregulation.

Just 38.3 per cent of respondents wanted the laws to stay as they are, compared to 61.7 per cent who backed looser regulations.

Men under 50 were most in favour of the government’s plan, while opinions among women were split with 53 per cent supporting deregulation and 47 against.