Mr. Grylls questions the government's commitment to retail trading hours, suggesting union pressure influenced the decision. Mr. Kobelke refutes this, citing National Competition Council concerns over funding reductions as the primary driver.

AnsweredQoN 543Legislative Assembly
Asked
20 March 2003
Portfolio
Consumer and Employment Protection

QuestionView source ↗

I have a supplementary question. Is it true that the Government has backed away from its commitment on retail trading hours under pressure from the unions, which have a poor representation with the independent supermarkets, rather than because of any concern for national competition policy funding? Mr J.C. KOBELKE

AnswerView source ↗

The member really should get a copy of the Government’s discussion paper and read it. Mr B.J. Grylls: I just want you to honour your election commitment. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I have explained to the member what the Government is doing there. The premise for the member for Merredin’s supplementary question clearly indicates that he has not read the discussion paper, because that discussion paper outlines the facts, which are that we have sat down at the table with the National Competition Council on several occasions and tried to work through the issue. We have asked the council how much it would suggest as a reduction in competition payments, and it has indicated only a substantial amount of the $70 million. Therefore, that is clearly where the pressure is coming from; nowhere else. We will respond following consultation with the community.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: The member really should get a copy of the Government’s discussion paper and read it. Mr B.J. Grylls: I just want you to honour your election commitment. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I have explained to the member what the Government is doing there. The premise for the member for Merredin’s supplementary question clearly indicates that he has not read the discussion paper, because that discussion paper outlines the facts, which are that we have sat down at the table with the National Competition Council on several occasions and tried to work through the issue. We have asked the council how much it would suggest as a reduction in competition payments, and it has indicated only a substantial amount of the $70 million. Therefore, that is clearly where the pressure is coming from; nowhere else. We will respond following consultation with the community.
The member really should get a copy of the Government’s discussion paper and read it. Mr B.J. Grylls: I just want you to honour your election commitment. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I have explained to the member what the Government is doing there. The premise for the member for Merredin’s supplementary question clearly indicates that he has not read the discussion paper, because that discussion paper outlines the facts, which are that we have sat down at the table with the National Competition Council on several occasions and tried to work through the issue. We have asked the council how much it would suggest as a reduction in competition payments, and it has indicated only a substantial amount of the $70 million. Therefore, that is clearly where the pressure is coming from; nowhere else. We will respond following consultation with the community.
Mr B.J. Grylls: I just want you to honour your election commitment. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I have explained to the member what the Government is doing there. The premise for the member for Merredin’s supplementary question clearly indicates that he has not read the discussion paper, because that discussion paper outlines the facts, which are that we have sat down at the table with the National Competition Council on several occasions and tried to work through the issue. We have asked the council how much it would suggest as a reduction in competition payments, and it has indicated only a substantial amount of the $70 million. Therefore, that is clearly where the pressure is coming from; nowhere else. We will respond following consultation with the community.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I have explained to the member what the Government is doing there. The premise for the member for Merredin’s supplementary question clearly indicates that he has not read the discussion paper, because that discussion paper outlines the facts, which are that we have sat down at the table with the National Competition Council on several occasions and tried to work through the issue. We have asked the council how much it would suggest as a reduction in competition payments, and it has indicated only a substantial amount of the $70 million. Therefore, that is clearly where the pressure is coming from; nowhere else. We will respond following consultation with the community.

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