The Parliamentary Education, Employment and Training Committee is undertaking an inquiry into the effectiveness of Queensland's trading hour arrangements following significant reforms to the 'Trading Act 1990' undertaken in 2016.
Special trading zones were established through these reforms with relaxed rules for shops in tourist hotspots, while larger retailers in smaller towns around the state were prevented from trading on Sundays and public holidays.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace told Parliament that a five-year moratorium period was introduced as part of these reforms to allow the amendments to take effect.
"The independent 2016 review, chaired by former Speaker John Mickel, led to historic reforms to Queensland's trading hours, including the reduction of the number of trading hours zones from around 100 to just 12," Ms Grace said.
"These changes simplified trading hours' arrangements and provided a stable retail environment allowing retailers of all sizes to best service their customers' needs, a victory for common sense, jobs and the economy."
Ms Grace said in the inquiry, the committee will be asked to consider the impacts of the amendments made to the Act in 2016.
This included obtaining stakeholder feedback, and the ongoing role of the independent tribunal, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.
Commerce North West and Mount Isa City Council have called on stakeholders to provide feedback on the matter via an online survey
In the states south west, Maranoa Regional Council Mayor Tyson Golder believes the current trading arrangements in rural towns such as Roma create a balance between smaller businesses and large operators.
"I've spoken to corner stores and if big retailers such as Woolworths were allowed to trade on Sundays and public holidays then it would really knocks their business around," he said.
"I think if they make it open slather they'll be at risk of taking all convenience businesses out of the space which wouldn't be good for our community.
"You will no doubt get different views in the community on the topic but if we want to keep as many as those smaller businesses going then you need to maintain a balance otherwise the larger national chains can dominate."
Ms Grace said the Palaszczuk government has always been committed to striking the right balance between creating greater consumer choice, while providing protections for retail workers and certainty for retail businesses.
"Amendments to the Trading Hours Act provided much needed certainty for this industry and workers in Queensland, and I am confident the Parliamentary Committee's inquiry will build on this great work."
Under the act, the moratorium period ends on August 31 2022.
It is anticipated the committee will report its findings to the Queensland Parliament by 31 January 2022.
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