The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission held its Franchising Consultative Panel (FPF) meeting on 20 April 2007. The meeting was attended by industry associations, franchisors, franchisees and franchising consultants. The main issues discussed at the meeting included the importance of proper vetting of franchisees, immigration education and the progress of the Review of the Franchising Code of Conduct.
ACCC Commissioner John Martin took the opportunity presented by the meeting of the panel to launch the second publication in the 'Being smart about your franchise' series, which is titled Franchisee checklist: before signing a lease agreement. The checklist is designed to assist prospective franchisees in considering issues such as:
contractual obligations
renewal and transfer options
occupancy costs
franchise territory.
The ACCC also announced the commencement of the FCP membership review and advised the panel that the process will be completed by end of this year.
In April the ACCC issued a Broadband—connection speeds consumer factsheet, which provides consumers with information about what they should consider before subscribing to a broadband service. The factsheet highlights the importance of asking questions and reading the fine print before signing up with a broadband service supplier.
Broadband—connection speeds is the first in a series of consumer factsheets informing consumer about their rights and protections under the Trade Practices Act 1974 and how they can enforce those rights.
