The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has appointed Mr Philip Eliason to manage its National Small Business Program.
The ACCC will also appoint small business liaison staff in its seven state and territory capital city offices. The appointments reflect the ACCC's commitment to assisting the small business sector to reduce commercial problems occurring with large businesses and between franchisees and franchisors. The ACCC's Small Business Unit and its capacity to listen to and communicate with the small businesses will be significantly enhanced by expanding its scale and regional deployment.
Mr Eliason will bring a strong knowledge of small business needs to the ACCC. He has been CEO of the Real Estate Institute of Australia and Deputy Director of the National Farmers' Federation where he has argued the case for small business to Government. He was a member of the Small Business Coalition and has represented business and industry views at national and international level since 1988.
ACCC will be running an information program and industry outreach on the new Franchising Code of Conduct and small business amendments to the Trade Practices Act 1974 which facilitate the resolution of disputes over unconscionable conduct. Both issues have been highlighted by business and the Government as priorities.