Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas refuses more public holiday trading, offers to give ground on Sunday mornings

SUNDAY morning shopping could be expanded in SA, as the new Labor Opposition gives some ground on State Government plans for wider deregulation of trading hours.

South Australian Leader of the Opposition Peter Malinauskas speaks to the media after hosting a roundtable with key stakeholders to discuss shop trading hours. Picture: Kelly Barnes

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SUNDAY morning shopping could be expanded in SA, as the new Labor Opposition gives some ground on State Government plans for wider deregulation of trading hours.

Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas on Thursday held a roundtable meeting with retail groups, and offered potential support for Sunday trading at 9am instead of 11am.

“What I have heard this morning is a whole suite of compelling reasons around why deregulation of shop trading hours here in SA would hurt small businesses and hurt working families,” he said.

“We are, however, open to a bit of compromise.

“If there is going to be any movement, it’s from the 9 o’clock to 11 o’clock on Sundays. “That is it.

“If a concession needs to be made to protect the sanctity of public holidays, the only one that we would be willing to contemplate is that.

“Our main focus here is to ensure that people continue to have the opportunity to have a day off with their families on public holidays.”

“The only people arguing for full deregulation is Coles, Woolworths and Westfields.”

Mr Malinauskas has formerly negotiated to extend public holiday trading in the city in exchange for part-day public holidays while head of the shop assistants’ union.

He said on Thursday Labor would not support any further public holiday change, and claimed small players were at risk of being overrun by corporate supermarkets under major changes.

Under current law, regional areas are deregulated and small stores have more leeway to open.

Premier Steven Marshall will be forced to negotiate with the Upper House crossbench to secure wider reform.

Independent John Darley and two SA Best MPs will be key.

Mr Marshall has warned SA retailers are at risk of losing business to online giants if held back by antiquated trading laws, and change would deliver a major jobs boost.

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