The Marshall Government will continue to campaign against the state’s archaic, confusing and shambolic shop trading laws until the next state election, with much-needed reform overwhelmingly supported by South Australians.
Treasurer Rob Lucas said the defeat of the Retail Trading Bill 2018 in Parliament represented a "disappointing day for South Australians who are desperate for greater freedom of choice’’ when it comes to when and where they can shop.
"Sadly, for South Australian consumers, retailers and their staff, what we are left with is the same dog’s breakfast laws that stymie choice, economic growth and opportunity.
"With their mates at the Shoppies’ union pulling the strings, Labor was never going to be allowed to support this Bill.
"All we have ever said is that if traders want to open, if customers want to shop and if employees are willing and able to work, why should the law stop them?
"Today is not the end of the battle.
"Today is the start of our relentless ongoing campaign to provide greater freedom of choice in shopping hours demanded by 75 per cent of South Australians.
"Why shouldn’t families in Elizabeth, Noarlunga, Port Adelaide, Tea Tree Gully and Marion not have the same freedom to choose their shopping hours as families in virtually all of regional South Australia and the CBD of Adelaide?"
