The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, the Hon David Bradbury MP, today said that the country's first national Australian Consumer Law has come one step closer with the publishing of regulations for the new law.
"The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) replaces 20 existing Federal, State and Territory laws with one national law," said Mr Bradbury. "The ACL represents one of the most significant reforms in the history of Australian consumer protection."
"The ACL provides a wide range of enhanced consumer protections and will come into force from 1 January 2011."
The ACL includes:
- a new national unfair contract terms law covering standard form contracts;
- a new national law guaranteeing consumer rights when buying goods and services, which replaces existing laws on conditions and warranties;
- a new national product safety law and enforcement system;
- a new national law for unsolicited consumer agreements, which replaces existing State and Territory laws on 'door-to-door' sales and other direct marketing;
- simple national rules for lay-by agreements; and
- new penalties, enforcement powers and consumer redress options.
"The ACL will help reduce the compliance burden for businesses and ensure that consumers have the same rights across Australia.
"The productivity gains from the introduction of the ACL will deliver up to $4.5 billion in benefits to the Australian economy.
"The ACL provides a strong national platform from which we can continue to drive forward with reforms to our consumer protection framework."
The ACL Regulations were published today on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments after having been signed by the Governor-General.
"The ACL Regulations are the result of a public consultation process and agreement between the Australian Government and the States and Territories, and I thank all of those who made contributions to the process," said Mr Bradbury.
"The ACL Regulations provide transitional arrangements to allow businesses to adjust to the new law. These transitional arrangements apply to some of the rules surrounding unsolicited selling, repair notices that suppliers must provide to consumers when they repair IT products or provide refurbished items, and warranties against defects.
"These regulations are an important part of the ACL and will assist consumers and businesses to understand their rights and obligations ahead of the 1 January 2011 start date."
Practical information on how businesses can comply with the ACL will be published in a series of regulatory guides in the coming weeks.
Further information about the Australian Consumer Law is available at: www.consumerlaw.gov.au.
18 November 2010