Queensland dealer groups and the Motor Trade Association Queensland (MTAQ) have expressed their concern at the possibility of car yards opening for business on Sundays.
The Queensland Government has announced sweeping reforms to trading hours, which would mean car yards could be open for business on Sundays.
The review, conducted by former speaker John Mickel, found many trading hours regulations in the state did not pass the “common-sense test.”
The reforms will see Sunday and public holiday trading hours standardised across the state, as well as a number of other changes, including increasing the number of shops which can trade at those times such as car yards, butchers and hardware stores.
Responding to the reforms, the Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTAQ) had previously made a detailed submission regarding trading hours based on a survey of its vehicle dealer membership.
It indicated 90% support for the retention of the existing Motor Vehicles State Order and that there should be no changes to trading hours.
MTAQ member and managing director of Ireland’s car dealership, Richard Ireland, says his company will definitely not be adopting the practice of opening on Sundays and that it goes against the work-life balance he supports for his staff.
MTAQ chief executive officer, Brett Dale also weighed in on the debate.
“These views are collectively held by the vast majority of MTAQ motor dealer business operators, where weekend staff availability would become a major problem.”
“The changes will cause additional operational costs to businesses, which are likely to be passed onto the consumer,” he adds.
“MTAQ is at a loss in understanding the decision taken by government. The decision supports consumer detriment and completely ignores the large number of submissions made by industry that opposed the change.”
James Frizelle’s Automotive Group general manager Brett O’Brien told the Courier Mail, “while Sunday trading might benefit some retailers it will not help the auto sales industry.”
“We are already open six days and sales staff find it difficult enough to balance work and their private life,” says O’Brien, whose company has car yards on the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
O’Brien points out that Sunday trading would not result in any additional cars sold as customer traffic would be spread over seven days rather than six.
“At a time when margins are continually under threat, the additional cost burden is completely unnecessary,” he notes.
Queesnland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the reforms simplify about 99 trading hour provisions down to just six.
“What we will see is the biggest shake-up in trading hours that this state has seen in over 20 years,” Palaszczuk says.
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