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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (14 May) . . Page.. 1354 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

and that it was an appropriate way of dealing with a major social problem with which the ACT community has been faced. I think it needs to be recorded that there remains that serious social issue which this legislation, by repealing the trading hours legislation, does nothing whatever to address. The effect of this legislation today will be to create a totally deregulated trading regime in the ACT. There will be no restrictions on when people may buy and sell goods or services of any description, with certain exceptions such as liquor. Generally, retail trading will be unregulated as of the passage of this legislation.

Mr Speaker, I have to indicate to the Assembly that, although that is the effect of the legislation, I am not entirely sure that is in the best interests of the community overall. I am not sure, for example, whether restrictions on certain public holidays ought not be considered. I would not like to see shops open throughout Christmas Day or Easter Sunday. Restrictions traditionally in place in other places in Australia will not be applied in the ACT. I am not sure that is what Mr Whitecross intended by his legislation, but that is what he will effect by it. Mr Speaker, that is a matter which I flag may have to be returned to.

Mr Whitecross: That is a consequence of your original legislation.

MR HUMPHRIES: No; it is not a consequence of that.

Mr Whitecross: To deregulate the trading hours.

MR HUMPHRIES: There were still restrictions on trading in certain cases. I wonder whether a regime with absolutely no restrictions is entirely appropriate. I simply place that on the table almost as a philosophical issue.

Mr Whitecross: Mr Humphries, it was your legislation.

MR HUMPHRIES: No; our legislation had some restrictions on trading hours. This has none.

Mr Whitecross: Which ones?

MR HUMPHRIES: The ones that we are repealing now.

Mr Whitecross: The ones we are repealing now; that is, large supermarkets.

MR HUMPHRIES: That is right; but it had some restrictions. I emphasise the point, for Mr Whitecross's edification, that a regime without any restrictions at all may prove to be counterproductive at the end of the day.

Mr Speaker, it needs to be recorded also that many of the predictions made about the legislation, which is today being repealed, have not come about. The predictions I refer to are predictions made from both this side and the other side of the chamber. As far as the Government is concerned, it was hoped that the restriction on trading hours would at least produce an improvement in the trading position of small centres, local centres and, to some extent, group centres in the ACT, but particularly local centres.

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