The Government will allocate $1.9 million over four years to extend the Consumer Information Programme. The measure will provide consumer information by building on the one-stop-shop approach of http://www.consumersonline.gov.au. It will also fund the provision of targeted information in areas such as disadvantaged consumers and product safety.
Providing consumers with adequate information is a key plank in the Governments consumer sovereignty framework.
The Consumer Information Programme adopts a three-tiered approach with the first tier seeking to improve and centralise marketplace information through the development of one-stop-shop online and offline resources.
While the majority of consumers will be serviced through the one-stop-shop resources, some consumers will experience particular disadvantage or encounter circumstances which require specific attention. The second tier will deliver dedicated resources to assist potentially vulnerable consumers and will involve community intermediaries, rural organisations and the business community.
The third tier of the Consumer Information Programme supports the Governments aim for Australia to be a best practice centre for e-commerce and includes a number of online strategies consistent with the outcome of building consumer confidence in e-commerce.