Queensland to Respond to Draft Report on Consumer Policy Framework
Published Wednesday, 12 December, 2007 at 05:00 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
The Queensland Government has welcomed a Productivity Commission draft report on a consumer policy framework, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said today.
“This review of consumer policy is well overdue and the report canvasses many important consumer policy issues, including unfair contract terms and the shortcomings of current mandatory disclosure requirements,” Mr Shine said.
“We agree with the Commission’s conclusion that the overarching objective of consumer policy should be to promote the confident and informed participation of consumers in competitive markets.
“This approach fosters an environment in which both consumers and suppliers can trade fairly and in good faith.”
Mr Shine said the Government is concerned that the proposal for a national ‘single generic consumer law’ enforced by the ACCC will not provide Queensland consumers with the same the level of protection as they have under the current State based system.
“The Office of Fair Trading has offices in Brisbane, Cairns, Mackay, Maroochydore, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton, Southport, Toowoomba and Townsville.”
“The States and Territories play a vital role in ensuring consumer protection at a local level.
“The Office of Fair Trading has offices in 9 Queensland locations with officers able to come to the assistance of consumers and to inspect stores, for example enforcing unsafe product bans and recalls. The ACCC only has offices in Brisbane and Townsville.
“I don’t believe that the people of Central and Far North Queensland would be well served by an ACCC takeover.
“Office of Fair Trading Officers can’t be in every store, every day, but we do a better job of monitoring consumer markets throughout Queensland than is possible by the ACCC.
“Queensland Fair Trading Officers assist individual consumers and traders with day to day consumer issues which are not a priority for the Commonwealth, such as fringe credit and the regulation of finance brokers.
“For example the Queensland Office of Fair Trading obtained $5.53 million in redress for consumers during the 2006-07 financial year.
“The Commissioners of the Productivity Commission have an economic and business perspective, but practical consumer assistance is best done by the States, who have people on the ground.
“I look forward to discussing the report with the new Federal Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs Chris Bowen.
“Queensland is preparing its response to the draft report and I encourage consumers to have their say. A copy of the draft report is available from the Commission’s website at http://www.pc.gov.au/.”
Media enquiries: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273
“This review of consumer policy is well overdue and the report canvasses many important consumer policy issues, including unfair contract terms and the shortcomings of current mandatory disclosure requirements,” Mr Shine said.
“We agree with the Commission’s conclusion that the overarching objective of consumer policy should be to promote the confident and informed participation of consumers in competitive markets.
“This approach fosters an environment in which both consumers and suppliers can trade fairly and in good faith.”
Mr Shine said the Government is concerned that the proposal for a national ‘single generic consumer law’ enforced by the ACCC will not provide Queensland consumers with the same the level of protection as they have under the current State based system.
“The Office of Fair Trading has offices in Brisbane, Cairns, Mackay, Maroochydore, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton, Southport, Toowoomba and Townsville.”
“The States and Territories play a vital role in ensuring consumer protection at a local level.
“The Office of Fair Trading has offices in 9 Queensland locations with officers able to come to the assistance of consumers and to inspect stores, for example enforcing unsafe product bans and recalls. The ACCC only has offices in Brisbane and Townsville.
“I don’t believe that the people of Central and Far North Queensland would be well served by an ACCC takeover.
“Office of Fair Trading Officers can’t be in every store, every day, but we do a better job of monitoring consumer markets throughout Queensland than is possible by the ACCC.
“Queensland Fair Trading Officers assist individual consumers and traders with day to day consumer issues which are not a priority for the Commonwealth, such as fringe credit and the regulation of finance brokers.
“For example the Queensland Office of Fair Trading obtained $5.53 million in redress for consumers during the 2006-07 financial year.
“The Commissioners of the Productivity Commission have an economic and business perspective, but practical consumer assistance is best done by the States, who have people on the ground.
“I look forward to discussing the report with the new Federal Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs Chris Bowen.
“Queensland is preparing its response to the draft report and I encourage consumers to have their say. A copy of the draft report is available from the Commission’s website at http://www.pc.gov.au/.”
Media enquiries: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273