Taking Action, Gaining Trust: Aboriginal Consumer Affairs Improved by National Action Plan

The Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs (MCCA) has released its mid-term report on the National Indigenous Consumer Strategy Action Plan 2005 – 2010.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said the plan committed Commonwealth, State and Territory consumer agencies to:
• Improve Indigenous consumers’ knowledge of their rights and obligations under consumer protection laws and achieve greater Indigenous access to consumer protection programs;
• Improve the behaviour of traders, through education and compliance activity, to reduce detriment experienced by Indigenous consumers; and,
• Promote effective engagement and partnership between consumer protection agencies, Indigenous organisations, business and other government agencies to improve consumer outcomes for Indigenous people.

The plan identifies actions under eight key priority areas:

• Employment of Indigenous staff in consumer agencies
• Advocacy of Indigenous consumers’ interests
• Housing
• Financial management and banking
• Motor vehicles and boats
• Trading practices
• Arts industry
• Managing Indigenous community organisations.

Mr Shine said consumer agencies across the nation recognised the need to continuously improve service delivery and outcomes to Indigenous consumers.

“We must make sure we provide culturally appropriate services and support to better engage indigenous Australians and provide improvements to their experiences as consumers,” he said.

Mr Shine said the Action Plan was a living document – monitored, evaluated and reported on each year.

“Governments have embraced the notion of a consistent, nationally agreed approach to improving Indigenous consumer affairs and this plan is the road map for success,” he said.

Queensland initiatives contained in the mid-term report include;


• Continuing to identify funding sources to engage in a more meaningful way with the Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network.
• Developed an online Home Buyers Guide which was launched in February 2007. Phase two of this project will tailor the Home Buyers Guide more specifically to Indigenous consumers.
• The Indigenous Fair Go Strategy focuses on general consumer and financial issues facing Indigenous Queenslanders. The Strategy has delivered a number of activities including the “Fair Go” guide booklet, governance training, employment of Indigenous staff, enhanced compliance programs, and stronger partnerships with the Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network.
• Arts Queensland is involved in addressing issues relating to Indigenous art development and marketing through its input into ‘Art Trade’.





Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273