The chairman of Australia’s peak retail body has launched a strongly worded attack on critics of Australia’s biggest retailers, saying a stream of misinformation is threatening job creation and impeding growth in the sector.

Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) chairman John Gillam, who is also managing director of hardware chain Bunnings, told an ANRA function in Sydney that there was “a misguided belief that somehow successful businesses hurt Australia”.

“How many more inquiries and reports are needed to make it clear that we have a vigorous and competitive retail environment?” he said.

“There are few barriers to entry in retail.”

Mr Gillam also said the $1,000 threshold on GST for goods bought online had cost the country jobs and encouraged corruption.

He said the NSW government, which brought down its budget on Tuesday, would have $300 million more in GST revenue if the threshold had been lowered to $20.

Mr Gillam gave the opening address at ANRA’s Retail Nation event, organised to bring industry leaders together to discuss key issues affecting their business.