Shop Trading Hours

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (15:00): My question is to the Premier. How many times has the Premier met with representatives of South Australian Independent Retailers in relation to the deregulation of shop trading hours?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (15:00): Not only myself but plenty of members of our cabinet have met with members, as described by the Leader of the Opposition. We value their input, but again—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Well, I don't have the exact number with me today, but I can say plenty of times, and they have made their position very, very clear—very, very clear. They have made their position very clear in person and in writing. I think they have even taken out ads to tell us what their position is, and we understand what their position is and we respect their position.

But it must be a revelation to those opposite that, just because you are having a difference of opinion, just because somebody says you should be doing something, doesn't mean that you should be doing it. We have made a decision. We are happy with our decision. We considered this decision over an extended period of time. In fact, I think we announced our position in September 2016. September 2016 was the time when we made it very clear, so it can't be any shock to anybody in South Australia what our intentions are.

Our intentions are to back the people of South Australia—not only to back the consumers in South Australia but to back businesspeople in South Australia. I note recently that Business SA has published a survey where—

The Hon. S.K. Knoll: 82 per cent.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Yes, 82 per cent of their members, 82 per cent of business members in South Australia. I know this is probably going to be news to those opposite, but that means that 18 per cent don't want it. But do you not do something because 18 per cent don't want it? The reality is, as I have said repeatedly, we will make decisions that are in the best interests of all South Australians. We do not take our instructions from the SDA. We don't take our instructions from the trade union movement. We make our decisions after consideration, taking into account the best interests of all South Australians, and I am very proud of the decision we have made.

Now what we are asking is for this parliament to consider the legislation which we will bring to the parliament and to consider it not in terms of the arguments advanced by interest groups but taking into account the entire South Australian community—businesses and consumers. In particular, I ask those members of this parliament to consider not their riding instructions from their trade union bosses or their caucus, but to consider those people who have left South Australia who believe that they don't have a place in South Australia because our economy is not strong enough, not providing that work for them in this state.

I just ask those opposite, and those in another place who will consider this legislation in the coming weeks and months, to make a decision after considering the impact that this decision can positively have on future employment opportunities in this state.