TOP 10 FAIR TRADING MATTERS IN HERVEY BAY

Personal and household goods topped the list of matters referred to the Office of Fair Trading in Hervey Bay, Minister for Fair Trading Margaret Keech said today.

Mrs Keech said Hervey Bay residents were continuing to stand up for their rights, lodging 258 complaints with the Office of Fair Trading during the 2005-2006 financial year.

“During this same time period 11,500 complaints were dealt with across Queensland, which included some that were carried over from the previous financial year,” Mrs Keech said.

“Personal and household goods had the most complaints in Hervey Bay followed by reports against Real Estate Agents and motor vehicle sales.

“Gambling and scams were also high on the list.”

Mrs Keech said this year the Beattie Government introduced strengthened laws to provide even more consumer protections to clean up these industries.

“While the majority of businesses do the right thing, there are those who give their industry a bad name by being dishonest.

“The Office of Fair Trading’s jurisdiction covers a wide range of industries. In the 2005-2006 financial year it monitored around 30,000 businesses to ensure they were operating within the law and consequently, took enforcement action in 3,000 instances.”

If you would like to lodge a complaint or require more information about making a complaint call the Office of Fair Trading on 13 13 04, or go to www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.

INQUIRIES: David Smith 3225 1005/ 0409 496 534 or Sofia Hum (OFT) 3119 0071.

Hervey Bay complaints by category