Referendum (Retail Trading) Bill

Introduction and First Reading

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (17:10): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to provide for the submission of the Retail Trading Bill 2021 to a referendum. Read a first time.

Second Reading

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (17:11): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I am pleased to introduce the Referendum (Retail Trading) Bill 2021. The Retail Trading Bill 2021, to which I have just spoken, sets out the changes the government wishes to make to the shop trading laws in this state in relation to freedom of choice for shoppers and non-exempt shops to trade every day of the year except Christmas Day, Good Friday and ANZAC Day morning.

The referendum bill, on the other hand, is a vehicle which facilitates the holding of the referendum. It identifies the form of the question to be put to electors at the referendum, who will conduct the referendum, the date of the referendum, who is entitled to vote at the referendum and the process for the enactment of the Retail Trading Bill 2021 should an affirmative result be returned. I will deal with each of those matters in turn.

The question to be put to electors at the referendum is simply: 'Do you approve the Retail Trading Bill 2021?' The referendum will be held on the date of the next state election, which will be 19 March 2022. It will be conducted by the Electoral Commissioner and all electors for the House of Assembly will be eligible to vote.

The basic process is as follows: first, the referendum bill and the Retail Trading Bill are laid before, and discussed by, both houses of parliament. After both bills pass through parliament and the Governor assents to the referendum bill only, the electorate will vote on the question of the referendum.

Finally, if the majority of voters at the referendum approve of the Retail Trading Bill, that bill must be sent to the Governor for assent and will become law. However, if the majority of voters at the referendum disapprove of the bill containing the proposed changes, it will not receive the Governor's assent and will lapse. I seek leave to have the detailed explanation of clauses inserted in Hansard without my reading it.

Leave granted.

Explanation of Clauses

1—Short title

This clause is formal.

2—The referendum

This clause provides for submission of the Retail Trading Bill 2021 to a referendum on the day of a general election of members of the House of Assembly (and that Bill will only be assented to if a majority of electors voting at the referendum approve the Retail Trading Bill 2021).

3—Conduct of referendum

This clause sets out provisions about the manner in which the referendum is to be conducted.

4—Regulations

This clause is a regulation making power.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.