30 May, 2008
Australian consumer law harmonisation welcomed
Ministers at the Australasian Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs (MCCA) meeting have agreed to significant reform
of product safety and consumer policy in Australia and this has been welcomed by New Zealand's Consumer Affairs
Minister, Judith Tizard.
"At the meeting Ministers agreed to significant reform of product safety regulatory arrangements and to develop a new
national approach to consumer policy within Australia," said Judith Tizard who chaired the meeting on 23 May in
Auckland.
"This will address overlaps and inconsistencies between Australian States and Territories in their current product
safety and consumer policies and laws. This is a major step for Australia. I welcome these decisions and the potential
it brings for enhanced Trans-Tasman product safety and consumer law in the future,” she said.
Ministers said that these reforms would help overcome the inefficiencies that occur because of division of
responsibilities between the various Australian governments. They said this will help deliver better outcomes for
consumers, lower costs for businesses and more speedily tackle practices that harm consumers.
“The consumer protection provisions of Australia’s Trade Practices Act are very similar to New Zealand’s Fair Trading
Act,” said Judith Tizard.
“We will be closely monitoring any amendments to Australian legislation with a view to harmonising our law with any new
provisions.”
New Zealand has been reviewing improvements to the enforcement provisions of the Fair Trading Act.
“We have been looking at provisions to address unfair contracts and banning orders with respect to recidivist offenders
under the Fair Trading Act, similar to those used in Australia.”
As the New Zealand and Australian economies are very close, through the Closer Economic Relationship (CER), it is
important that our product safety and consumer policy are consistent.
“This harmonisation will make it easier for firms in both countries to do business and also helps lower business and
compliance costs. New Zealand businesses will not have to deal with state-specific consumer laws, making it easier from
them to do business in Australia.
“I am looking forward to working with my colleagues on the Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs to further progress
the issues we discussed,” said Judith Tizard.
MCCA comprises Australian Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers responsible for fair trading,
consumer protection laws, trade measurement and credit laws.
MCCA's objective is to provide the best protection for Australian consumers through its consideration of consumer
affairs and fair trading issues of national significance and to development consistent approaches to those issues where
possible.
It also works to facilitate and encourage co-operation and consultation on consumer policy between Australia and New
Zealand.
Link to MCCA Communiqué http://www.consumer.gov.au/html/download/MCCA_Meetings/Meeting_19_23_May_08.rtf
ENDS