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Public Release Of Consumer Credit Pre-Contractual Disclosure Research Report

The Standing Committee of Officials of Consumer Affairs (SCOCA) is pleased to announce the release of the report titled: 'Simplification of Disclosure Regulation for the Consumer Credit Code: Empirical Research and Redesign'.

Funded by the Standing Committee of Officials of Consumer Affairs (SCOCA) this research is considered to be the most intensive and comprehensive experimental research into consumer credit disclosure ever carried out in Australia. The research is seen as very significant and is expected to be useful in contexts well beyond the regulation of consumer credit in Australia.

Purpose of the research

The key purpose of the research was to develop a consumer credit pre-contractual disclosure model which would provide consumers with a significantly better tool for comparing credit products and credit providers.

COAG decision to transfer regulation of credit to the Commonwealth

The research project was well underway when the Council of Australian Governments' decision was made to transfer the regulation of consumer credit from the States and Territories to the Commonwealth Government. In recognition of the importance of the research, the Commonwealth requested that the research be completed.

This request was made on the basis that the information generated by the research would remain useful, particularly during the Commonwealth's second phase of its action plan for the transfer of responsibility for the regulation of credit, as well as providing relevant information to a parallel process being undertaken by the Commonwealth in relation to the disclosure provisions of the Financial Services.

Report: Simplification of Disclosure Regulation for the Consumer Credit Code: Empirical Research and Redesign [ZIP 7MB]

Ministerial Council Meeting
30 April 2010

The Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs (MCCA) held its twenty third meeting in Perth on 30 April 2010.

View current and previous meeting Communiqué.

Release of Issues Paper

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has been commissioned by the Standing Committee of Officials of Consumer Affairs (SCOCA) to conduct a review of consumer protection in the travel and travel related services industry, with a particular focus on the role of the Travel Compensation Fund (TCF). The final report is due June 2010.

The review will consider the effectiveness of, or need for, consumer protection measures in the travel industry, the relevance, effectiveness and viability of the current travel agency regulatory scheme and other regulatory and non regulatory options to address consumer protection issues in the industry.

As part of the review, PwC is seeking feedback on the key issues relating to consumer protection in the travel industry. The attached Issues Paper highlights issues for consideration.

Details on how to provide feedback are outlined in the Issues Paper.

Submissions must be lodged by 9 April 2010.

Questions regarding lodgement of submissions can be directed to PwC on (03) 8603 3133.

Travel Review Press Release [PDF 60KB]

Review of Travel Industry Consumer Protection: Issues Paper [PDF 252KB]

Review of consumer protection measures in the travel and travel related services market

On 8 May 2009, the Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs (MCCA) directed the Standing Committee of Officials on Consumer Affairs (SCOCA) to commission a review of consumer protection in the travel and travel related services market, focusing on the role of the Travel Compensation Fund. 

The Tender Evaluation Committee consisting of SCOCA representatives from the Commonwealth, Victoria and Western Australia are responsible for managing the review. 

The Committee has completed the tender evaluation process and PricewaterhouseCoopers have been selected to conduct the review under the MCCA terms of reference.  The terms of reference for the review are attached. The final report is due June 2010.

For information about the review see PricewaterhouseCoopers — www.pwc.com.au or contact
Mr Jeremy Thorpe at jeremy.thorpe@au.pwc.com

Review of consumer protection measures in the travel and travel related services market [PDF 13KB]

MCCA Strategic Agenda 2010 - 2012

MCCA endorsed the document "A New Approach to Consumer Policy Strategy 2010 – 2012" at its 4 December 2009 meeting.

MCCA Strategic Agenda 2010-2012 [PDF 630KB]

National baseline study on warranties and refunds in the white goods, electronic goods and mobile phone sectors

Consumer protection agencies across Australia jointly commissioned research into how consumers, traders and manufacturers respond when it comes to defective white goods, electronic goods and mobile phones.

National Baseline Study on Warranties and Refunds [PDF 249KB]