Deb O’Brien, the Northern Tablelands Labor candidate said if the multi-nationals were allowed to enter the lottery market; it would be the end of the regional newsagent.

“Newsagents and other small businesses, including those in Glen Innes, will face financial hardship and possible closure,” she said.

The speculation comes amid the pending April expiry of the current Agency Protection Period.

Ms O’Brien said the current NSW coalition government has made agreements with “big business” to allow them entry into the lottery market.

Glen Innes’s only newsagent and owner, Guy Shafer is against any proposal to allow the big chains to be distributors of NSW Lottery products.

“I am in no way rejecting good healthy retail competition as it keeps us all on our toes,

But there is no way small businesses can play on an even playing field with the massive corporations,” Mr Shafer said.

He went on to slam the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for not providing adequate protection for small businesses.

“Coles and Woolworths are able sell products cheaper than what retailers actually pay for them, it is impossible to compete against them,” Mr Shafer warned.

Mr Shafer has thrown his support behind the promise made by Country Labor to regional small businesses.

“I am now calling on the NSW coalition to match the commitment made to regional newsagencies by the country labor movement,” Mr Shafer added.