SMALL RETAIL BUSINESS

CDP acknowledges that the small business sector (grocery and other retailers) provides employment to many WA families who need to work hard for a living; small and medium sized retailers are consequently worthy of special support and consideration.

CDP also affirms that small business is worthy of government support because as an important sector of our economy it delivers considerable benefits to local communities:

• Decisions are made locally and are more likely to reflect what local communities expect compared to larger businesses run from interstate or even overseas;
• Competition and consumer choice is enhanced;
• Entrepreneurship is encouraged;
• Profits are usually re-invested locally.

CDP acknowledges that any further concentration of the retail sector in the hands of major chains or supermarkets may have adverse consequences on the well being of many West Australian families employed in the sector.

CDP agrees with Price Waterhouse Coopers that “a decrease in independent grocery market share would also have detrimental impacts on businesses which support independent grocery retailers (eg. local accountants, local printers, smaller primary producers and local storage, warehousing and wholesalers) as most of these support services would likely be procured interstate by major grocery retailers”.

Consequently, CDP shall introduce measures to discourage the expansion in the number of major stores in country WA as these will only reduce competition and increase the casualisation of the work force and contribute to more insecure employment.

CDP firmly opposes a deregulation of retail trading hours and note that the 2005 Retail Trading Hours referendum was soundly defeated across the State. CDP believes the will of the people expressed at the referendum should be respected by Parliament and that this issue should not be debated any further.

CDP will work to ensure that alcohol is not sold in major stores.

CDP will work to discourage liquor stores and hotels from selling alcohol after midnight.

CDP will work to protect Sunday as a day of rest in a country that has a proud Christian heritage.

CDP will work to ensure that prescribed medicines are dispensed only through qualified pharmacists working in independent pharmacies.

CDP will encourage the acquisition of local grocery produce and see that effective labelling and country of origin regulations are implemented.

CDP will seek to achieve a reduction of the compliance burden placed on business through the multitude of by-laws and regulations. We will reduce “red tape” in order to further boost the productivity of this important sector of our economy.

CDP will encourage further training opportunities, financial and general management courses.