Coalition stands up for small business and consumers by improving Consumer Law Bill

June 24, 2010

The Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, Mr Luke Hartsuyker MP has welcomed the passage of the Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Bill (No. 2) 2010 through the Commonwealth Senate today with amendments giving effect to Coalition recommendations.

“The legislation completes the initial text of uniform national consumer laws, providing clarity for business and additional protection for consumers. The implementation of a national consumer law has the bipartisan support of the Parliament,” Mr Hartsuyker said.  “The Coalition was able to make a number of recommendations to improve the legislation through the Senate Committee Inquiry on this Bill as conducted by Senators Eggleston and Bushby on behalf of the Coalition. The Minister accepted the majority of these amendments after negotiations with the Coalition. Senator Joyce represented the Coalition during the Bill’s passage through the Senate."

Mr Hartsuyker said because of Coalition recommendations the following amendments have been accepted:

• exemption for the architects and engineering professions under the statutory implied fitness for purpose warranty will be retained;
• the definition of unsolicited consumer agreements will be expanded;
• suppliers in an industry already covered by state and sector-based reporting schemes can be exempt from new product reporting requirements;
• and confidentiality and competition will be protected under the incident reporting scheme.

“The Coalition was able to negotiate and retain the provisions allowing business purchases under $40,000 included in the definition of consumer for the purposes of statutory guarantees. This is a huge win for small business,” Mr Hartsuyker said.  “The Coalition welcomes the approach taken by the Minister for Consumer Affairs in his willingness to negotiate for the purposes of improving this legislation. It is unfortunate that other Ministers of this ailing Labor Government refuse to take a similar approach to the legislative process.”

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