New data showing that Western Australian shoppers pay the most for food and groceries than those in other states once again highlights how WA's archaic trading hours laws are punishing consumers.

The latest survey of average retail prices by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows Perth is the most expensive capital overall for food and groceries in Australia except for Darwin.

The research has revealed that a basket of groceries costs $259.57 in Perth. However, shoppers would save more than $15 if they were to buy the same basket of groceries in Sydney, and about $12 dollars in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Except for one month (June 2005) when Hobart was 74 cents higher, the basket has cost more in Perth than any of the other states in every quarterly survey since the ABS began monitoring prices in December 2004.

This data provides compelling evidence that WA's restrictive retail trading hours that stymies choice, competition and innovation in the State's retail sector and is contributing to higher prices.

Meanwhile, comments today by the Federal Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner have given further weight to the need for trading hours reform.

Minister Tanner while being interviewed about the ACCC's inquiry into the grocery industry said "People are hurting out there so any reforms that will improve markets, that will improve competition and put downward pressure on prices we’re obviously going to be very interested in."

(ABC AM Program - 31/7/2008)

CCI believes one of the biggest barriers to lower prices is the State’s highly restrictive and anti-competitive retail trading hours laws.

Reform of the State's retail sector will deliver many benefits to the community including increased choice, convenience and lower prices.

CCI calls on the State's political leaders to deliver bipartisan support for fully deregulated trading hours at the next state election.

Statement by CCI Chief Executive James Pearson