World Consumer Day

On the 15th of March each year World Consumer Day is held in an effort to promote awareness of consumer issues. This year in Australia, a National Consumer Congress is being held in Melbourne. Commencing today and running for a further two days, the theme of this year's discussions is ‘In pursuit of world-class consumer policy'.

“As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, with Federal ministerial responsibility for consumer affairs, I look forward to participating in the Conference.

“The Australian Government takes consumer affairs issues very seriously and is working to improve consumer policy and promote a better understanding of consumer issues” said Mr Pearce.

“The recent Scam Awareness Month is one example of how the Government, through agencies such as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Federal Police, is working to highlight the dangers of email scams and cold-calling to unsuspecting Australians.”

The Australian Government is involved in other key areas of consumer policy that include:

• addressing the impact of component pricing - recently released draft legislation will require businesses to display the single-figure, total minimum price needed to make a purchase;
• efforts to improve financial literacy through the Financial Literacy Foundation;
• new Australian Guidelines for Electronic Commerce; and
• Australia as an active participant in a number of international organisations that focus on striving towards greater consumer awareness and protection. For example, we continue to be an active voice at the OECD and we firmly believe in the merits of such international dialogue.

The recent decision to allow for the international exchange of information (between consumer regulators) on competition and consumer protection matters is an example of our commitment to better policy outcomes.

“The National Congress represents a great opportunity to explore new directions and innovation in consumer policy. I look forward to continuing my work with representatives of State and Territory Governments, business and consumer advocacy groups” said Mr Pearce.

MELBOURNE

15 March 2006