New publications to inform water brokers and their customers

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued three new publications to assist irrigators, water brokers and water exchanges to understand their rights and responsibilities under the Trade Practices Act 1974.

"In recent years, the volume of water trading has increased significantly. Many irrigators rely on brokers or exchanges when deciding whether to buy or sell water, to assist them to find a buyer or seller for water and to organise the necessary paperwork," ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said.

"The Trade Practices Act establishes fair trading obligations for water brokers and exchanges when they are dealing with their customers. The ACCC's publications assist all parties understand where they stand."

Water trading – a guide to your fair trading rights when using brokers and exchanges is a comprehensive publication that assists irrigators understand their fair trading rights.  The guide includes:

• tips for irrigators when looking for a broker or exchange
• examples of conduct that is likely to contravene the Act
• information about remedies and penalties for breaches of the Act
• steps to resolve a dispute with a broker or exchange.

The ACCC has also issued a shorter overview of these rights, titled Water trading – an overview of your fair trading rights when using brokers and exchanges.

The Water brokers and exchanges – your fair trading obligations publication will help brokers and exchanges understand their obligations under the Act when dealing with irrigators.

Irrigators, water brokers and exchanges can contact the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502 or their local state or territory office of fair trading with any fair trading questions or complaints.

All three publications will be available from the ACCC website, or ordered from the ACCC Infocentre free of charge on 1300 302 502. 

For media inquiries to the ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, please call Ms Lin Enright, ACCC Media, on (02) 6243 1108 or 0414 613 520.  For general inquiries, please call the Infocentre: 1300 302 502. 

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