The state Labor party has negotiated a surprise deal with the state government on retail trading that will allow shops to stay open until 9pm on weeknights and most stores to open on Sundays in the metropolitan area.
But the deal may not extend to Coles and Woolworths being allowed to open on Sundays.
Today Labor leader Eric Ripper said he'd approached the Premier Colin Barnett to negotiate the issue because he wanted to bring greater clarity and certainty to consumers and small businesses in Perth.
"With the Government's Retail Trading Hours (Tourism Precincts and Holiday Resorts)Amendment Regulations No.2 (2009) facing disallowance in the Legislative Council this week, it is the right time to work out an agreed solution," Mr Ripper said.
Mr Ripper said that the current proposal to expand special trading precincts in Perth and Fremantle was unlawful and Labor will vote for the disallowance motion.
"If the disallowance motion is carried, Labor will work with the Government on new legislation for these precincts.
"To prevent further inconsistencies and anomalies which are not fair on groups of consumers or small business operators, Labor today resolved to support retail trading reform across the Perth metropolitan area," he said.
Mr Ripper said Labor had sought to negotiate a comprehensive solution to avoid frequent piecemeal and discriminatory changes to trading hours.
He said the agreement involves, the appointment of Small Business Commissioner, shopping centre lease registers, Sunday trading for "durable consumer goods" including white goods and weeknight trading to 9pm.
Mr Ripper said one of the key elements of the negotiations was the appointment of a Small Business Commissioner.
"The Commissioner will provide a low-cost non-litigious means of resolving disputes between landlords and tenants in retail shopping centres," he said.
"Together these measures will give WA businesses greater certainty and transparency and will safeguard small businesses from any downside of the new reforms.
"Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and the new Commissioner‟s role will mean they will continue to grow and prosper into the future," said Mr Ripper.
