Trading hours set for reform in Queensland

Source: www.smh.com.au

Hardware stores will open from 6am on Sundays and supermarkets in south-east Queensland will be allowed to open from 7am to 9pm six days a week under changes set to be introduced. But there will not be a total deregulation of trading hours for all retailers. The Queensland government publicly released a report into trading hours in Queensland, committing to implement almost all of the 13 recommendations. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was the biggest shake-up in trading hours in Queensland for more than 20 years. The changes will swap 99 different trading-hour provisions for six. All non-exempt stores in south-east Queensland will be allowed to open from 7am to 9pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 6pm Sundays and most public holidays. Non-exempt stores include large retailers and supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths, department stores, hardware stores and butcher shops.