Events, legislative updates, news, compliance, and publications
Events
Information Session with Consumer Protection – 26 November 2009
The Department of Commerce (Consumer Protection Division) extends an invitation to community service providers, businesses and traders of the Northam, York and Toodyay region to attend an information session on Consumer Protection by the Director Business Services – Ms Susan Nulsen.
The Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Commerce promotes consumer protection and fair trading in Western Australia by:
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providing information and advice to consumers and traders about their rights and responsibilities;
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impartially helping consumers resolve disputes with traders; and
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investigating complaints about unfair trading practices;
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regulating and licensing some business activities; and
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developing legislation that promotes a fair and competitive trading environment.
The Director Business Services will provide an overview of the Department and the role Consumer Protection plays in the community. Departmental staff will also be in attendance and following the session will be available to provide information on a broad range of matters including, product safety, retail and refunds policies, buying motor vehicles and building and tenancy. In addition information will be provided about various scams and schemes that may target consumers and many small businesses often in regional areas.
Thursday 26 November 2009
10:00am to 11:00am followed by tea, coffee and light refreshments
Northam Country Club
15 Wood Drive, Northam WA 6401
RSVP by Monday 23 November 2009 to:
| Anne-Marie Algefski 9026 3250 0429 087 386 anne-marie.algefski@commerce.wa.gov.au |
Joan Susinetti |
Tenancy Conference (WA) 8 – 9 December 2009
This Conference is open to tenant advocates, community workers and solicitors interested in tenancy issues and who work with tenants. This two day, annual Conference is packed with talks on topical and emerging tenancy related issues within in WA. It is also a great networking opportunity. A small fee may apply.
Places are limited and so applications are necessary. For more information regarding the Conference visit the Tenants Advice Service website or phone 9221 0088.
Legislative Updates
Consumer Affairs Act 1971 (Order Restricting the Supply of Goods) - to restrict in Western Australia for a period of 18 months the supply of "Sky Lantern - miniature, unmanned hot air balloons" that do not comply with corresponding Commonwealth product safety standards regulations was gazetted on 27 September 2009.
Co-operatives Bill 2009 – the Co-operatives Bill received Royal Assent on 22 October 2009.
News
Service Provider Information Session – 17 November 2009
Consumer Protection hosted a free information session for service providers to gain a better understanding on the services Consumer Protection offers to benefit the community. The information session was sponsored by the City of Belmont.
Citizen Advice Bureau Conference – 27 - 29 October 2009
Consumer Protection supported the Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB) Conference by providing a variety of speakers across the Department to cover aspects such as Warranties, Council of Australian Government, Legislation, Reverse Mortgages and also included presentations from WorkSafe and Labour Relations. The Conference was well attended and CAB volunteers will continue to work collaboratively with Consumer Protection to provide an important service to the WA community.
Compliance
Two year ban for real estate agent
Issue Date: Thursday, 5 November 2009
The Court of Appeal decided that reprimands and fines ordered by the State Administrative Tribunal against Mr Alexander Landa, who trades as Alexander Landa and Associates Real Estate, be substituted to his licence and triennial certificate being cancelled and that he be disqualified from holding a licence and a triennial certificate for 2 years.
The decision of the Court takes effect from 16 December 2009.
Banned real estate agent refused leave to appeal
Issue Date: Tuesday, 20 October 2009
The Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Western Australia (19 October 2009) refused to grant Mr Michael Moojan Mavaddat, who previously traded as Key West Realty, leave to appeal against a decision of the State Administrative Tribunal.
On 27 August 2008, the Tribunal cancelled Mr Mavaddat’s real estate and business agent’s licence and permanently disqualified him from holding a licence or triennial certificate. The Tribunal found Mr Mavaddat’s conduct rendered him unfit to hold a real estate agent’s licence.
Convicted land valuer disqualified for two years
Issue Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2009
The State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) has cancelled the licence of Michael Edwin McKenna of Cowaramup as a result of him being found guilty by the District Court last year of two counts of bribing a public officer and one count of counselling another to bribe a public officer.
Publications
Year in Review 2008/2009
The Consumer Protection Year in Review 2008/2009 provides an overview of our achievements in the last financial year. The electronic version of the publication can be downloaded form the Consumer Protection website.
Consumer Protection produces a wide range of statutory publications as well as educational material and advisory guides for consumers and traders.
The Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is now the Department of Commerce.
Publications you receive may display the former name. The publications will be updated to display the Department of Commerce name when new stock is printed.
Visit our website to view all of our information products or call 1300 30 40 54.
To request copies of our publications please email us
We are always interested in our readers' feedback, ideas for articles, and new trends and issues in consumer protection.