12 December 2007 
 
Recognised as the busiest retail period of the year, the festive season highlights the continuing anomaly that is Western Australia’s regulated trading hours.  
 
In the lead up to Christmas the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (the Institute) has released the results of a local survey*, surrounding the issue of regulated trading hours in Western Australia. 
 
“An overwhelming 81 per cent of respondents believe deregulated trading hours in Western Australia would have a positive impact on the State,” said the Institute's Western Australian General Manager, Con Abbott.  
 
Furthermore the Institute’s survey revealed that 50 per cent of respondents expressed a preference for complete deregulation of trading hours. 
 
“From a business perspective, the removal of the trading hour restrictions would clear yet another hurdle to doing business in the State and the flexibility it allows, would make Western Australia a more attractive destination for investment, employment and tourists,” said Mr Abbott. 
 
According to the respondents surveyed, the top four reasons in favour of deregulated trading hours include: 

• Greater convenience (39 per cent) 
  
• Makes Perth more attractive to tourists and young people (24 per cent) 
  
• Balancing work and family commitments (18 per cent)  
  
• Creates more jobs and employment opportunities (10 per cent).