Shop Trading Hours

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:39): I rise to speak on a matter of transparency. On 5 November, just two days ago, the Premier, Steven Marshall, uploaded three posts to his Facebook page with respect to the recent announcement about retail trading in suburban areas this Boxing Day. The second post featured a screenshot of a Channel 7 Adelaide poll on the matter where the Premier posted the message:

It's pretty clear that the majority of South Australians are in favour of our decision to allow traders in the suburbs to open on Boxing Day.

The poll of 6,800 voters showed that there was a 70:30 split in favour of the announcement of suburban Boxing Day trading. I do not think many of us believe that 70 per cent of 6,800 voters on a Facebook poll conducted by Channel 7 is necessarily the majority of South Australians. We all know what happened to the online poll asking Australians to have their say on Australia's citizenship test. One Nation had at first backed the Senate committee poll—I think it was initially their idea—only to attack it later for being manipulated.

The Premier made a further post on the matter at 6.30pm on 5 November with the following message: 'Thanks for the positive feedback online.' A thumbs up emoji was included, along with a graphic that featured many of the carefully curated, positive feedback comments, including the names of those who posted the positive feedback. What the Premier failed to mention was the equally negative feedback he received to the three posts so, in the interests of transparency, I am going to include some of those posts and feedback from concerned South Australians on the other side of the debate, who are equally deserving of a thumbs up. From D. Scopacasa:

Yeah right…conveniently just post supportive messages, we aren't all sheep Mr Marshall! As for your choice for shoppers, seriously? Consumers have 7 day shopping almost 365 days a year but they need boxing day too? Thanks for taking away one of the very few days I had where all my family and friends could enjoy together...

From L. Blakeley:

They look like hand picked comments to me. Why would I believe that? That's not what a facebook post ever looks like, just look at this one!

From S. Annie:

You haven't posted ANY of the nay sayers Marshall, for which there are many.

From B. Bruce:

Greater choice? Seriously? Everything will still be available later. There's better things to do on Boxing Day than go shopping. How about spending time with your family, go camping. Go fishing, go to the beach, have another barbecue. Bus shopping? Get a life people.

From S. Fowler:

'Those that CHOOSE to work' haha…are you kidding? If an employer decides they're going to open and you refuse, I'm pretty sure you can start looking for a new job.

From B. Cutts:

What people can't survive with stores being closed for 1 day, are we that desperate these days. The only people benefitting from this are the large chain stores, all the mum and dad small stores will be losing one of their few days off a year.

From S. Woodhead:

Can't wait to be asked to start work at midnight xmas night so the shelves have bread on them when the store opens…merry xmas!

From T. Stewart:

If the rest of Australia were going to jump off a cliff would you add that to your list of policies too?

From A. Morris:

So seeing as the shops are open on Boxing Day, you'll be giving us back our State's founding day…Proclamation Day on the 28^th so those of us from pioneer families can functions, No, I didn't think so.

From A. Ahrens:

I like the idea that we had an extra day where family and friends could get together for some relaxation without the fear of our ridiculous addiction to consumerism ripping people away.

From T. Tree:

So bad, what about those people with families that will be forced to work. What about the one day we get off the consumerism train and people were focussing on their families and extended families. They won't have that anymore. Sad news. I always feel for retail people, having worked in the industry.

Lastly, from Y. Alexander:

10 years ago I remember interstate people staying in South Australia why all the shops were not open at Easter like the other states. The reply was that given that SA Chose not to. I spoke to retail workers and they and many business owners also agreed that these times were valuable for the people and their families. It is ok to be non-conforming…What is paramount in our society now, people's lives or the control of life in society?