The debate over shaking up Queensland's retail trading hours is more complex than just a fight between big business and small corner stores, an issues paper says.
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The Palaszczuk government released the paper on Wednesday, inviting the public to have a say on options for retail trading hours reform as part of its review.
The report illuminates how restrictions may encourage shoppers to make purchases online, outside of trading hours, rather than locally during trading hours, and the growing number of households with dual incomes or single parents contributing to many people being time-poor.
It also points out that negative impacts of extended trading hours on small business may be "overstated".
A review headed by economist Professor Ian Harper in 2015 handed to the federal government highlighted that independent businesses were able to differentiate their offerings to fulfil consumer demand and compete in the face of deregulated trading hours.
And a survey by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland in 2014 found while businesses were concerned about the impact of deregulation, about two-thirds said there would be no impact on sales, profitability, employment and investment if trading hours were to be deregulated.
The review will be conducted by an independent Trading Hours Review Reference Group, chaired by QUT School of Justice Associate Professor and former Speaker of the Queensland Legislative Assembly John Mickel.
In a foreword to the paper, Mr Mickel said the argument for or against the regulation of trading hours was often seen as a battle between the interests of the big chain stores and smaller independents.
"(But) the concerns being raised by business owners and the wider community are broader and more complex," Mr Mickel said.
Those issues include whether current trading hours adequately reflect Queenslanders' shopping and leisure preferences and how that balances with the needs of retail workers, has the current framework led to unintended consequences for employment and small business growth, and are current trading hours detracting from the state's appeal as a tourist destination.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said the government was calling for submissions from interested parties for its review of retail trading hours in Queensland.
"The independent review is in response to concerns from business and the community that our trading hours arrangements are too complex," Ms Grace said.
"It has the potential to unlock $200 million in annual economic benefit to the state."
The group includes business representatives, such as the Queensland Tourism Industry Counsel, and unions.
It is the first major review since 1994 to examine the current system and make recommendations on improving trading hours regulation.
In Queensland, trading hours are decided by a combination of regulations set out in the Trading Hours Act and decisions of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, and vary across the state and within zones.
Meanwhile, Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow has called for a review of public transport as part of any extension of retail trading hours.
"I think they need to review the timetables and perhaps finish a bit later than they do with some of the key routes into those major shopping centres, such as Indooroopilly," Mr Dow said.
"You need to think about the workers too - not everyone has a car - particularly the younger ones working in shops and they need to be able to access public transport if they're going to be working longer and public transport needs to match that."
Earlier in October, the state's industrial relations commission granted an extension of trading hours for major south-east Queensland retailers.
For more details on the government's review, visit www.treasury.qld.gov.au/trading-hours-review.
