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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 6 Hansard (22 May) . . Page.. 1591 ..

MR DE DOMENICO (continuing):

In formulating its retail policy, Mr Speaker, and considering the future of retailing hours restrictions in the ACT, the Government needs to consider not only the differing concerns of retailers within local, group and town centres but also the needs and demands of consumers. Extended trading hours have been demonstrated to be highly attractive to Canberrans, with many of the larger supermarkets now experiencing some of their highest turnover outside of what would be considered traditional trading hours. Factors such as the generally high mobility and earnings of the ACT community, combined with a comparatively high number of families where both parents work, have combined to make extended trading hours a boon to many in Canberra. The Government must look also at what is best for the community as a whole. The Government recognises the particular needs of those in the community whose mobility is restricted and for whom convenient shopping for essential goods is an important consideration. We must balance - Mr Moore talked about balance, and this Government has a balance - this against the community demand for greater choice, flexible trading hours and more competitive prices.

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, we recognise the importance of trading hours to retail policy and we are giving close consideration to the review of trading hours as part of our development of a comprehensive retail policy. Consistent with both our philosophical approach and the Territory's obligations under the competition principles agreement, we are open to a level of regulation that is in the public interest, but we will need to be clearly satisfied that such an approach is the best available option. A blunt instrument such as a moratorium on retail development at town centres clearly does not meet that public interest test. That is why we will oppose the motion, and that is why we will oppose Mr Moore's amendment.

Mr Speaker, much has been said about what was said in Hansard before. There is no doubt that the Liberal Party did support no more expansion in the big centres until we had some studies done, and here they are.

Ms McRae: You changed your minds.

Mr Berry: Crass politics.

MR DE DOMENICO: I note the interjections, Mr Speaker. This Government has been in power for less than 18 months. We went to the community saying, "We will, first of all, commission some proper studies. After we have the opportunity of having a look at those studies, we will then make a decision".

Ms McRae: Do nothing.

MR DE DOMENICO: We will then make a decision. That is to be made very shortly, Ms McRae. We are not sitting on our hands like the previous Government did. The shopping centre trading hours issue did not happen just in February 1995. It had been brewing and brewing for years. There have not been amendments to the trading hours since 1975, for heaven's sake.

Ms McRae: Because they were perfectly good. They were good, that is why; and they are still good. I like 24-hour shopping; it is good.

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