The association is aware its previous application was rejected by a commission in recent years, and so concentrates on lobbying for Sunday trading available in other areas of Queensland. 

The association represents retailers of all sizes, including Coles and Woolworths, and applied to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission in 2014 to allow these stores to trade on Sundays in Mount Isa. 

NRA’s manager of industry policy, David Stout, a speaker during this commission, said “it is something we would consider again in the future given the overwhelming level of community support now coming to light.” 

‘He said that for Sunday trading to be possible in Mount Isa there would need to be “stronger leadership” from council, and state and federal representatives, and to be aligned with the views of the majority of locals. 

“The recent newspaper polls show that locals are on board. It’s up to the politicians to do what the people want,” Mr Stout said. 

The North West Star poll online poll showed 76.92 per cent of the 1070 voters supported Sunday trading in Mount Isa, a week after it was published. The figures aligned with a university commissioned study presented to the commission, said Mr Stout. 

State MP Rob Katter and supporter of seven day trade, Brett Peterson, discussed the subject on the North West Star’s ‘Elevensies’ Live Facebook program on Monday. 

Sound technical difficulties at the start aside, each made their points clearly. Mr Katter said he would not change his position on the topic. 

“It’s about a principle here. People could want shopping till 12 midnight and force a lot of these mum and dad shops to try and compete at midnight,” Mr Katter said. 

“Beware of the shiny bauble and what it is in the short term because it can have long-term consequences on your local economy, and I think it would be negative for Mount Isa.” 

He said a retail store was needed in the eastern side of Mount Isa. 

“There’s still no convenience store there, a lot of Indigenous kids and that do not have public transport, a lot of social issues, so we want to work hard to get retail over there.”