RR Phantom
Location : Wasted Space Job/hobbies : Cayman Islands Actuary
| Subject: Anti-free trade OZschwitz Newman locks up trading hours Mon Jul 15, 2013 4:59 am | |
| Premier Campbell Newman has all but ruled out an extension to shop trading hours after an independent report by the Queensland Competition Authority found the move could result in an additional $200 million for retailers.
It was reported on Saturday the government was likely to agree to the trading extension but Mr Newman said there would need to be a ''very strong case'' made to change the current system, as the sustainability of small business needed to be protected.
''We don't want them to be smashed by the power of the majors, the two major supermarket chains, who have very strong market power,'' the Premier said.
''And there is an ongoing public interest argument by the small retailers that simply going to an open slather will impact on them and ultimately lower competition in the marketplace. Advertisement
''So I want to say today very clearly that it is my government's position, and it is the party that I represent's position, that we would only contemplate the change to trading hours if there was a very strong case made for it. At this stage, we do not see that case.''
Mr Newman said Queenslanders needed to be ''careful what they wish for'' if they supported extended shopping hours.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/newman-locks-up-trading-hours-20130713-2px73.html#ixzz2Z6RcxFdl
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