Commissioner's column

Young people in our community will soon become a focus of attention for Consumer Protection with plans to launch an innovative campaign to target this new generation of consumers.

More and more young people are now in the market for items such as mobile phones, MP3 players and cars.  Keeping in touch with the teenage and early-twenties demographic will involve a fresh approach, looking into the perceptions of this audience and how we can use new media, such as social networking sites, to communicate more effectively with them.

Recent research by marketing students at the University of Western Australia’s Business School showed a low level of awareness of consumer rights regarding the fundamental issue of warranties and refunds.  The students conducted an on-campus survey amongst their peers which highlighted a lack of relevant information was eroding their confidence in making a warranty claim or enforcing their rights during a warranty dispute with a retailer or manufacturer.

An exciting campaign that will involve school students both as part of the planning and through a highly motivating competition is in the pipeline. We will be looking to achieve a new level of awareness among young consumers so that they know what information and assistance is available when it comes to their first important purchases in life and those they plan to make in future.

Our Legislation and Policy Directorate has been very active formulating new legislation and drafting amendments to existing legislation aimed at reducing government ‘red tape’ for businesses and individuals in our community.

Legislation to abolish the Hairdressers Registration Board is proposed as part of this policy and we are currently progressing amendments to simplify and streamline the rules surrounding the operation of co-operatives and associations.

Many associations are community groups often run by volunteers in their spare time and one of the aims of the proposed changes to the Associations Incorporation Bill 2006 is to lessen the burden of compliance to those who have limited time and resources.

For example, earlier plans to require the appointment of a public officer have been changed, as this was considered to be too great a burden on individual volunteers.  Additionally, concern from some associations about the proposed three-tier structure of financial accountability has meant that these requirements have been recast.

New model rules, improved dispute resolution and easier steps to incorporate will make things much easier for both new and existing associations.

Changes to consumer protection laws nationally will be under the spotlight when Consumer Protection Ministers and Commissioners from around Australia meet in Perth next month, along with New Zealand representatives.

Commerce Minister Troy Buswell will be chairing the Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs (MCCA) meeting and I will be chairing the Standing Committee of Officials on Consumer Affairs (SCOCA) meeting over 3 and 4 December 2009.

Both forums provide an excellent opportunity for representatives from all ten jurisdictions to discuss consumer policy and ways to harmonise consumer laws to ensure a consistent and coordinated national and Trans-Tasman approach.

Methods to improve the responsiveness and efficiency of the consumer protection system and reduce barriers to cross-border activity, as well as coordinating enforcement and sharing intelligence, will also be discussed.

High on the agenda for the December meetings will be the continuing progress of the COAG reforms, including finalising the content of the new Australian Consumer Law and transferring State powers to the Commonwealth in the areas of credit, business names and trade measurement.

Anne Driscoll

Consumer Protection Commissioner