Committee to check out internet shopping

THE impacts on local Australian businesses from global internet-based competition will be the focus of a new inquiry by the House Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources Committee.

The Committee will examine how Australian businesses, particularly in the retail and small business sectors, have responded to growing competition from global online companies and what effect this change has already had and will continue to have. The Committee welcomes submissions to the inquiry addressing the terms of reference.

Committee Chair Michelle Landry MP said that the inquiry is both timely and important: “Online sales currently make up a small but noticeable proportion of Australia’s total retail spending. While that will grow, it is vital that Parliament understands the effects it will have on local Australian businesses.”

The inquiry will also examine the effects of global internet-based competition on the broader Australian economy, as well as on the employment levels and conditions for those in the sector.

“Approximately 10 percent of Australians are employed in the retail industry, and around 40 percent of Australia’s private-sector employment is in small businesses”, Ms Landry noted, “so changes in how those sectors operate will have a significant impact on Australia’s economy as a whole”.

The Committee is calling for submissions by 1 December and will schedule public hearings to further examine issues in detail.

The Committee will inquire into the impacts of global internet-based businesses on local Australian business, particularly in the retail and small business sectors and will consider the following:

 Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website.

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