The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today issued a research report Competition and consumer issues for Indigenous Australians.
"The report by the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy at the Australian National University is part of the ACCC's approach to trade practices compliance and awareness issues within Indigenous communities", ACCC Chairman, Professor Allan Fels, said today. "It provides better awareness of relevant Indigenous cultural issues and market practices which affect Indigenous communities.
"CAEPR researchers reviewed Australian and overseas literature and comment on the role of stores in remote Indigenous communities and the Indigenous visual arts industry.
"While the views expressed in the report are those of the researchers and not necessarily of the ACCC, the report will be valuable in helping the ACCC, and other consumer agencies, develop future Indigenous strategies. Early phases of the research have already assisted in the development of Storecharter—a service charter serving remote and Indigenous communities and in the development of community-focused education materials. It is hoped that the report will stimulate further research in this area.
"Visits by ACCC staff to remote communities in central and northern Australia have indicated that Indigenous consumers and businesses are often unaware of their rights and obligations under the Trade Practice Act 1974. This reflects the broader need for information by business and consumers in rural and regional communities which gave rise to the ACCC's Rural and Regional Program.
"The ACCC has responded to this need by developing targeted educational materials and establishing the Regional Network which is comprised of more than 450 regional supporters. The Regional Network has been established to improve access for people in country Australia to relevant and topical trade practices information".