The Ministerial Council will advance consumer affairs and fair trading matters of strategic national significance, and where appropriate, will facilitate and encourage:

• The coordination of policy development and implementation by all Jurisdictions to provide the best and most consistent protection for consumers;

• Consistency of policy and enforcement decisions for the suppliers of goods and services within a national marketplace;

• National legislative consistency of major elements of consumer protection policy;

• Access to education and information for all consumers;

• Co-operation and consultation on consumer policy development and implementation between Australia and New Zealand;

• Proactive research and development strategies to ensure the readiness of fair trading agencies, consumers and business for the challenges beyond 2000; and

• Consultation with government departments, the consumer movement, industry groups and interested parties, to ensure and maintain currency of the work of the Council.