As large, national businesses, ANRA members face costly and inconsistent local, state and federal regulations. There are 125 government taxes, eight different sets of workers’ compensation and occupational health and safety regulations and a host of conflicting food and consumer standards. The costs of these inconsistent regulations are ultimately borne by consumers. [more]

Almost 1.5 million Australians work in the retail sector, making it Australia’s single largest employer. The sector needs flexible workplace arrangements which reflect the 24/7 nature of retailing. In December 2008, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission release 'modern' awards that will drastically increase penalty rates and casual loadings, placing retail jobs under pressure. The impact will be greatest in NSW, South Australia, Queensland and the ACT. [more]

A host of trading hour restrictions exist in Australia, most notably in Western Australia and Queensland. These restrictions often illogically discriminate between retailers, allowing some stores to trade when others are strictly prohibited. ANRA supports the removal of such restrictions to allow all shops to have the option of trading 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the exception of specified public holidays (such as Christmas Day, Good Friday and the morning of Anzac Day). [more]

ANRA supports an open, competitive retail market in Australia and believes there is no evidence that the structure of the retail market, or the conduct of participants, inhibits vigorous competition. The 2008 ACCC inquiry into grocery competitiveness supports ANRA’s public arguments that the retail grocery sector is competitive. [more]

Planning regulations create uncertainty, delays and costs which must ultimately be borne by consumers. To date, planning reform has concentrated on improving the timeliness of government approvals for residential developments. Yet, business concerns have not received the same attention. [more]

Australia has very effective competition law. The Trade Practices Act was introduced in 1974 to prohibit large businesses using their market power for anti-competitive purposes and has ample resources to enforce these rules. The only significant change that is required is the removal of the “Birdsville Amendments” however this was defeated in the Spring sitting of the 2008 Parliamentary session. [more]