Shop Trading Hours

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (15:35): It is funny what can happen when you cook up a barbie in regional South Australia. It is an icebreaker, a conversation starter; after all, who could resist a local snag cooked by locals?

Last week I had the pleasure of many barbecue conversations, conversations that were sparked by remarks made during question time on 21 June when the Treasurer responded to the Hon. Terry Stephens' question regarding the deregulation of trading hours in regional South Australia, remarks such as Foodland and IGA stores trade successfully with Coles and Woolworths, that there 'doesn't appear to have been the widespread concerns of businesses being wiped out', that 'traders are prepared to trade, the workers are prepared to work', that there are no complaints from workers and families about being forced to work.

It might surprise those opposite that the remark that there 'doesn't appear' to be widespread concern, and the remark that independents can successfully trade with Coles and Woolworths, did not ring true over the barbie in Murray Bridge and Waikerie, and it did not ring true in Barmera and Berri. Local growers and suppliers can see the writing on the wall: statewide deregulation of trading hours will hit not only independent retailers but also the suppliers, wholesalers and farmers who rely on the friendly independents stocking local SA products, not only in regional SA but across all of South Australia.

There are currently 89 IGAs in South Australia. If 50 of these stores were forced out of the marketplace regional growers and suppliers—our state's primary producers—would be some of the many people and one of the many sectors impacted. The government might boast that deregulation has been a big hit in regional South Australia and that everyone can trade happily side by side, but either they have not asked regional businesses for their feedback or, if they have, they have asked only the big end of town.

They have not asked the former owner of Beauchamps, a family shoe store business that had been an iconic shopfront located on the main street of Murray Bridge for 60 years. That was until Woolworths moved in, shifting the focus of the shopping district away from the main street. They have not asked Aussie Apricots, a third generation, family-run orchard. I met with the owners last week and they shared with me their concerns about the effect this statewide deregulation could have on them. These humble producers employ over 20 staff locally to harvest and process their products, and most of us would have seen their delicious chocolate-dipped apricots and many other products on the shelves of SA independent supermarkets. Aussie Apricots are proud locals who are also proud to support their local mates and sell only to South Australian supermarkets.

They have not asked Aquasun Produce in Murray Bridge, which grows tomatoes, about how they will be impacted by deregulation. They have not asked second generation almond farmers from Waikerie. They have not asked Plaza Quality Meats, the local Berri butcher located opposite Coles, about what will happen when the big end of town is deregulated. I did ask that local butcher and do you know what they told me? There is no time for anything but work. The government has not asked independent supermarket owners in Berri, Port Pirie and Kadina—and neither have I. Why? Because they don't exist anymore. But do not worry, Woolies and Coles are happily trading.

The thousands of signatures collected from regional South Australia to keep this point of difference has been overwhelming. From Liberal branch secretaries to regional shop owners, farmers and customers, they have all lined up to unequivocally tell us that the big guy and the little guy are not happy neighbours. We need a balance that backs SA farms, jobs and shops. We all remember that hashtag #regionsmatter. It is certainly catchy. I give credit where credit is due, but is this catchy hashtag just that to the Liberal Party or are they actually listening to regional South Australian businesses?