The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is urging the appointment of the next government to happen swiftly and with a focus on stability and maturity. Russell Zimmerman, ARA.
ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman said retailers need to get on with business.
"The next government can't afford to be distracted by party politics and need to knuckle down and focus on governing for all Australians," Mr Zimmerman said. "This means a stronger focus on genuine consultation and realistic, achievable, fully costed policy development.
"During an election period retailers traditionally notice a flattening of sales. In an already sluggish retail environment, the uncertainty of this caretaker period shouldn't continue for any longer than necessary.
"However, retailers understand the more important need for a stable government focused on greater consultation with the retail sector - the nation's largest employer - before legislative changes are made," Mr Zimmerman said.
He said smaller and independent retailers want to see:
- Greater representation delivered by a promise that the Small Business Minister will sit in Cabinet;
- A reduction in the legislative burden on small business;
- Workplace relations laws with better balanced workplaces for employees and employers including the flexibility to give school kids jobs for the hours they are available;
- The reduction of government debt to ease pressure on interest rates.
"The ARA is calling on the Independent Members of Parliament to consider the results of the recently released ARA State of the Independent Retail Sector Report clearly showing an overwhelming feeling the government doesn't give enough support to independent retailers who are the cornerstones of local communities," Mr Zimmerman said.
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the peak industry body in Australia's $292billion retail sector which employs more than 1.2 million people.
www.retail.org.au
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