Newsroom

February 16, 2022

Katter’s Australian Party Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter has labelled the Queensland Parliament inquiry’s recommendation that the “big corporates” ban on Sunday trading in the regions be extended only until August, 2023 as bittersweet.

Mr Katter thanked the Employment, Education and Training Committee for its efforts during the Inquiry into the operation of the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990, as well as the many witnesses who spoke up across the state, but said he ultimately feared for the future of small businesses in rural and region communities like Mount Isa, Ayr and Charters Towers.

“If this recommendation is adopted by the Parliament, our small retailers – many who rely so heavily on Sunday and public holiday trading to remain profitable – will essentially be given a timeline,” he said.

“They will have just months before the big corporates will be able to lobby the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission for access to ‘open economy’ conditions which will inevitably create an influx of competition that small, local businesses owners will be disadvantaged by.

“I do see what happens next as a bit of a line in the sand moment – while I understand the convenience Sunday trade for places like Woolies and Coles would present shoppers in the short-term, in the long-run our communities will be the losers.

“When competition is destroyed and local businesses have to shut up shop, I fear many will ask where it all went wrong?”

Mr Katter said he would continue to canvas and support Traeger communities and business owners over the next 18 months, and would not support any changes to the ban should they come before the Queensland Parliament.  

As it stands, legislation prohibits larger retailers in smaller communities from opening their doors on Sundays, but that will change if the EETC’s recommendation is adopted by the Palaszczuk Labor Government. 

In this case, small businesses in a number of regional Queensland communities will have to ready themselves for the potential of large businesses bringing a flood of heavy competition.

These communities affected by the recommendation would include but are not limited to towns like Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Longreach, Mount Isa, and Weipa.

“As a regional MP who represents a largely rural area, any issues that may affect these communities comprised of fragile economies is of high importance to me,” Mr Katter said.

“These rural areas are home to many people and families who greatly support the Australian economy and ensuring they have access to not only open, but fair, operating conditions is paramount.”