Edition 39, October 2006

Ministers consider national consumer and fair trading issues

The Ministerial Council for Consumer Affairs, comprising the Commonwealth, state and territory and New Zealand ministers responsible for fair trading, consumer protection laws, trade measurement and credit laws, held its annual meeting in September 2006.

The council was established to provide the best and most consistent protection for Australian consumers through its consideration of consumer affairs and fair trading issues of national significance, and development of consistent approaches to those issues.

The official meeting communique outlines decisions on a range of issues, including:

  • In principle agreement was reached on the development of uniform product safety legislation throughout Australia. This requires the consumer product safety system to be reformed to promote harmonised legislation.

Queensland will lead a working group to consider the details of the harmonised model and preparation of a Regulation Impact Statement. The target date for endorsement of the proposal is June 2007, with legislation to be introduced in late September 2007.

  • The Commonwealth will investigate the feasibility and cost effectiveness of a national system for the administration of trade measurement laws. A Regulation Impact Statement will be prepared to enable a review of the options.
  • It was agreed that further discussion is needed regarding the national regulation of finance and mortgage brokers.
  • The Australian Bankers Association initiative to introduce best practice guidelines in relation to increasing credit card limits was welcomed. However the council remains concerned about the credit being extended to vulnerable consumers. Ministers have called for options to deal with the issue.  More information is provided in the story, Ministers call for options to deal with credit card debt.
  • Industry concerns about the limitations to the current scheme for the regulation of travel agents were acknowledged. The council asked that a study be commissioned to identify and review the effectiveness or need for consumer protection measures in the travel services market. The report is to be presented to the council by 30 June 2007.

The complete communique can be viewed on the Ministerial Council for Consumer Affairs website at www.consumer.gov.au  (Select 'News' > 'meeting communique'.)

This page was generated on 30 September, 2009