Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack, in his capacity as Minister Responsible for Consumer Affairs, has today welcomed the Productivity Commission’s report into Consumer Law Enforcement and Administration.
“The Productivity Commission’s report, released today, details its study findings into the administration arrangements behind the Australian Consumer Law,” Mr McCormack said.
“The study examined the complementary roles of Commonwealth and State and Territory consumer affairs agencies under the ‘one law, multiple-regulator’ consumer law model.
“It also examined how this framework interacts with specialist regulatory regimes, such as those for electrical goods, food safety, and building and construction.
“The report makes four recommendations and 12 findings, and notes the complexities and challenges of having 10 regulators administer and enforce one law across the country.”
Minister McCormack said the Productivity Commission’s report looked at progress made since the 2008 review of Australia’s consumer policy framework and the introduction of the Australian Consumer Law.
“On behalf of Consumer Affairs Ministers across Australia, I thank the Productivity Commission for its detailed work and consultation with businesses, consumer groups, regulators and other stakeholders,” Mr McCormack said.
“This study complements a review of the Australian Consumer Law recently completed by consumer affair agency officials through, Consumer Affairs Australia New Zealand or CAANZ, which will be released early next week.
“I welcome the Productivity Commission’s review and I look forward to the opportunities it, with the CAANZ Australian Consumer Law review, identify to improve the framework for our national consumer law.”
Consumer Affairs Ministers will consider the outcomes of both reports when they meet later this year.
The Productivity Commission’s final report is available on the Productivity Commission's website.