The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, the Honourable Chris Pearce MP, today announced that he has expanded the role of the Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council.
‘I have expanded the role of the Council to include responsibility for advising me on the implications for consumers of developments in e-commerce in addition to trends in Consumer Affairs’, Mr Pearce said.
The Council will promote principles of best practice for businesses in their on-line dealings with consumers.
‘This reflects the current use of e-commerce in a wide range of consumer transactions’.
Mr Pearce also announced that he had expanded the Council’s terms of reference.
In addition to investigating and reporting on matters referred to it by the Government, the Council has also been tasked with identifying emerging issues impacting on consumers and drawing these to the attention of the Government.
After attending a meeting of the Council in Melbourne today, Mr Pearce said that he was strongly committed to increasing the profile of consumer affairs within the Government.
‘It is important that consumers have confidence that they are protected by a relevant and effective framework of consumer protection legislation. I look forward to receiving the advice of the Council on new and emerging consumer policy issues’, Mr Pearce said.
Reflecting its expanded role, the Council’s membership has recently been increased from 8 to 12 members.
Established in March 1999, Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council is the Australian Government’s principal source of external advice on consumer affairs matters. It is chaired by MrColin Neave, the Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman.
The Council’s terms of reference and membership is attached.
27 May 2005
Gillian Harvey 03 9887 3890 or 0411 567 060
CCAAC MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS OF REFERENCE
Terms of Reference
- Consider reports and papers referred to the body by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer and report to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer on their likely consumer impacts;
- Identify emerging issues impacting on consumers and draw those to the attention of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer;
- Investigate and report to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer on consumer issues referred to the body by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer.
Current CCAAC members
Mr Colin Neave (Vic), Chair, Australian Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman
Ms Fiona Guthrie (Qld), Consumers Federation of Australia
Ms Diana Harvey (SA), Proprietor, Chalk Hill Winery
Mr Michael Kay (Vic), Chief Operating Officer, AAMI Ltd.
Mr John Knowles (WA), CEO, Cerebral Palsy Association of WA
Ms Adriana Taylor (Tas), Alderman, Glenorchy City Council; and Member, Country Women’s Association (Tas) Inc
Mr Gregory Bartels (NSW), Retired
Mr Peter Kell (NSW), CEO, Australian Consumer Association
Mr Patrick Fair (NSW), former Chair E-commerce Expert Group; Partner, Baker & McKenzie
Mr Daniel Maurice (NSW), former member E-commerce Expert Group; Business consultant (formerly with Cisco systems)
Mr Mark Sneddon (Vic), former member E-commerce Expert Group; Partner – electronic commerce, Clayton Utz
Mr David Warner (Qld), former member E-commerce Expert Group; Business Advisor (formerly Chief Information Officer, Flight Centre)