Published Tuesday, 02 December, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
No more door to door trading after 6pm
Door to door trading after 6pm will be banned under new legislation to be introduced into State Parliament today.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said the amendments to the Fair Trading Act meant the government would no longer grant exemptions to companies allowing them to door knock between 6pm and 8pm.
“This will ensure Queenslanders are protected from unwanted intrusions in the evening and all businesses across the state will have to abide by the same uniform door-to-door trading hours,” Mr Shine said.
“Previously, exemptions for 6pm to 8pm were granted to a small number of companies but those exemptions expired at the end of October.
“This is about protecting the privacy of all Queenslanders, particularly the elderly, who have made it clear to the government that they do not want traders knocking on their doors at night.
“Queenslanders value their privacy and they deserve and expect to be able to come home from work at night and not have to deal with traders.”
Mr Shine said normal door to door trading hours of between 9am until 6pm on weekdays and until 5pm on Saturdays would remain.
“These normal door to door hours give traders enough time to offer their products and services to people at home.”
Door to door trading is not permitted on Sundays or public holidays.
Mr Shine stressed there would be no change to the way charities are able to collect door to door – between 9am and 5pm seven days a week.
“This now strikes the right balance between the right of traders to sell door-to-door and people’s right to privacy at home.
“The rules protecting consumers are among the toughest in the country.
“In some other states, traders can door knock until 8pm on weeknights without having to apply for an exemption.”
Media contact: Chris Taylor 0419710874
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said the amendments to the Fair Trading Act meant the government would no longer grant exemptions to companies allowing them to door knock between 6pm and 8pm.
“This will ensure Queenslanders are protected from unwanted intrusions in the evening and all businesses across the state will have to abide by the same uniform door-to-door trading hours,” Mr Shine said.
“Previously, exemptions for 6pm to 8pm were granted to a small number of companies but those exemptions expired at the end of October.
“This is about protecting the privacy of all Queenslanders, particularly the elderly, who have made it clear to the government that they do not want traders knocking on their doors at night.
“Queenslanders value their privacy and they deserve and expect to be able to come home from work at night and not have to deal with traders.”
Mr Shine said normal door to door trading hours of between 9am until 6pm on weekdays and until 5pm on Saturdays would remain.
“These normal door to door hours give traders enough time to offer their products and services to people at home.”
Door to door trading is not permitted on Sundays or public holidays.
Mr Shine stressed there would be no change to the way charities are able to collect door to door – between 9am and 5pm seven days a week.
“This now strikes the right balance between the right of traders to sell door-to-door and people’s right to privacy at home.
“The rules protecting consumers are among the toughest in the country.
“In some other states, traders can door knock until 8pm on weeknights without having to apply for an exemption.”
Media contact: Chris Taylor 0419710874