The South Australian government has drafted legislation and will now begin formal consultation to allow trading on Sundays from 9am, instead of 11am.
The Shop Trading Hours (Extension of Hours) Amendment Bill 2022 would also lock in trading on Boxing Day across Adelaide.
Currently, shops across Adelaide are permitted to open on Sundays from 11am to 5pm, and only shops in the CBD may open on Boxing Day, trading from 11am to 5pm (except if Boxing Day falls on a Saturday in which case shops may open earlier).
Sensible reform
Premier Peter Malinauskas described the amendment as “sensible shop trading hours reform which strikes the right balance for workers, local small businesses and shoppers”.
“These reforms will allow South Australians to shop from 9am on Sundays, instead of waiting until 11am,” he said.
“This is an idea I put forward while in opposition, which was regrettably rejected by the former government.”
ARA welcomes change
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) CEO Paul Zahra said that whilst small in scope, the changes represent important progress in modernising South Australia’s “outdated and fractured trading hour regime”.
“There’s no logic to retaining the 11am opening time on Sundays, which only acts to be a handbrake on the South Australian economy – particularly during this critical time in our recovery. Moving to a 9am open time is a welcome improvement.,” he said,
“Today’s action sets the parliamentary process in motion, which is a positive step for retailers and their teams and for customers who will equally benefit from extended trading on Sundays.”
The government will now undertake a three-week consultation period, before introducing the legislation in the first sitting week when Parliament resumes.