Parliamentary Committee to review Trading Hours Act

Following significant reforms undertaken in 2016 to the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990, the Parliamentary Education, Employment and Training Committee will undertake an inquiry into the effectiveness of Queensland’s trading hour arrangements as required under the Act.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace told Parliament today that as part of these reforms a five-year moratorium period was introduced 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,” Minister 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.”

“In the inquiry, the Committee will be asked to consider the impacts of the amendments made by to the Act in 2016, including obtaining stakeholder feedback, and the ongoing role of the independent tribunal, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission,” Minister Grace said.

“The Palaszczuk Government has always been committed to ensuring we strike 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 31 August 2022. 

It is anticipated the Committee will report its findings to the Queensland Parliament by 31 January 2022.

Ends.

14 September 2021

Media contact: Courtney Hoogen on 0439 341 314