Cairns businesses to contribute to Queensland trading hours review
A Cairns business owner has called for the city centre to be able to trade all day and night ahead of a statewide review into trading hours. HAVE YOUR SAY
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ONE Cairns business owner has called for the centre of town to be able to trade all day and night ahead of a statewide review into retail trading hours.
As the Cairns Chamber of Commerce called for members to give their feedback regarding trading hours ahead of a review into when they can and can’t open their doors, Alive Pharmacy proprietor Nick Loukas called for 24-hour trading in the CBD.
“We are a tourist town and it makes sense for Cairns CBD to be a 24-hour trading zone,” he said,
“As a tourist town we should be able to service the needs of tourists which means it will bring much needed business to the city.”
Cairns Chamber of Commerce chief executive Patricia O’Neill said on Friday November 19, the chamber would represent the local business community at a public hearing as the state Education, Employment and Training Committee holds an inquiry into the operation of the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990.
“We welcome you to provide us with your view on the economic impact of the current trading hours, and any changes you believe could or should be made for the betterment of our business community and tourists alike,” she said.
“We will relay this feedback on your behalf at the inquiry.”
The most recent review in 2016 resulted in reforms which saw special trading zones featuring extended hours were deemed allowable for shops in tourist areas, while bigger retailers in smaller towns were not allowed to trade on public holidays or on Sundays.
The review will investigate whether current trading hours adequately reflect Queenslanders’ shopping and leisure preferences and how this balances with the needs of retail workers; if the current framework led to unintended consequences for employment and small business growth; and if trading hours arrangements detract from Queensland’s appeal as a tourist destination.
Last month Queensland’s Minister Industrial Relations, Grace Grace, said following significant reforms made in the 2016 review, the committee would undertake the inquiry as required. by legislation.
In September Ms Grace told parliament that as part of these reforms a five-year moratorium period was introduced to allow the amendments to take effect.
She said the 2016 review, led to historic reforms including reducing trading hours zones from 100 to 12.
“These changes simplified trading hours’ arrangements and provided a stable retail environment allowing retailers of all sizes to best service their customers’ needs,” she said.
“A victory for common sense, jobs and the economy.”
Ms Grace said while arguments for or against trading hours regulation are often seen as a battle between the interests of the big chain stores and small independents, issues were broader and more complex.
What changes would you like to see to trading hours in the Far North? Have your say in the comments below.
Originally published as Cairns businesses to contribute to Queensland trading hours review
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