A Memorandum of Understanding between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Consumer Affairs Victoria was signed in Melbourne today by ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, and Consumer Affairs Victoria Director, Dr David Cousins.
"The MOU reflects the spirit of collaboration between the two agencies and demonstrates the commitment of both organisations to work together to ensure consumers and traders are aware of their rights and responsibilities under fair trading and consumer protection laws and that any breaches of the law will be vigorously pursued," Mr Samuel said.
"The agreement sets out a framework for cooperation between the two agencies which best serves the interests of consumers and promotes fair trading and active competition across jurisdictions."
The signing of the agreement was welcomed by Mr Samuel who congratulated CAV for being the first agency to reinforce its commitment to work actively with the ACCC.
"Under the MOU, the two consumer agencies have agreed to consult each other in relation to recent judgments, current law reform, policy issues, news releases, joint publications and stakeholder groups. It also enables the agencies to work together on joint strategies, taskforces and investigations.
"The ACCC already enjoys a positive working relationship with CAV, meeting regularly to exchange information and cooperate on compliance, education and enforcement activities."
During the signing, each agency announced new tools to assist consumers and small businesses. The ACCC launched an online tool, the Consumer and Business Directory.
"The CBD is a one-stop shop for Australians to get the information they need to resolve consumer or small business problems. It allows visitors to the ACCC website to find the most appropriate organisation to help them with inquiries or complaints. A link to this new tool has been provided on the CAV website."
CAV highlighted the recent launch of the new Toy and Nursery Safety Line, a joint initiative of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Tasmania.
"The toy hotline is the first cross-jurisdictional dedicated toy and nursery safety line in Australia and will provide parents and carers in Victoria and Tasmania with important product safety information and is featured on the CBD.
"The cross promotion of these initiatives further demonstrates the commitment of both agencies to work together to assist Australians.
"Opportunities for staff exchanges and combined training programs will also be explored to further reinforce the strong cooperative culture that already exists between the two agencies," Mr Samuel said.
Consumers can contact the ACCC's Infocentre on 1300 302 502 or CAV on 1300 558 181 or for further information. Alternatively consumers can visit the agencies' websites: www.accc.gov.au or www.consumer.vic.gov.au.
The Consumer & Business Directory is a database of contact details for organisations that provide assistance or advice to consumers and small business. It will make it easier for all Australians to find the right organisation to help them.
The CBD allows users to search for contact details of a large number of organisations that offer consumer and business complaint-handling and advisory services, including industry associations, government agencies, advocacy groups and independent mediation/dispute resolution services.
In addition to a basic keyword search, users can narrow their search using advanced search features including their geographical location, the type of industry and/or the type of organisation enabling rapid identification of the most suitable organisation to contact.
The CBD also identifies those organisations that provide services to specific groups such as young people, those with disabilities or chronic ill health, people from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds or Indigenous and older Australians.
The CBD is located on the ACCC website (www.accc.gov.au) and incorporates contacts from the Australian Consumer Handbook, formally available from the Consumers Online website.
Toy and Nursery Safety Hotline
The Toy and Nursery Safety Line is a joint initiative between Consumer Affairs Victoria and Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Tasmania and is the first cross-jurisdictional dedicated toy and nursery safety line in Australia.
A new toy and nursery products hotline will give parents greater confidence when choosing safe products for their young children.
The dedicated line will allow consumers from Victoria and Tasmania to make inquiries, discuss concerns and report unsafe products. It will give parents and carers important product safety information and help reduce the risk of injuries to babies and children from unsafe toys and nursery products.
The hotline provides parents and carers with general safety tips, rather than advice about a particular toy. Hotline staff will be able to respond to fair trading issues (such as refunds for toys) and refer callers to appropriate agencies (such as the Royal Children's Hospital Safety Centre) for further assistance.
