CONSUMER PROTECTION, REGIONAL MONITORING

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:47): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Consumer Affairs a question about regional monitoring programs.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: No matter where one lives in the state, a consumer deserves protection from shoddy work or deals. Will the minister advise what is being done to monitor traders who do the wrong thing in regional areas?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:48): I am pleased to advise that the compliance staff from the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs (OCBA) have commenced a blitz of traders on the West Coast to ensure that local consumers are getting a fair deal. OCBA officers from Port Augusta and Adelaide are joining forces to check retailers, car dealers, builders, service stations and pubs across the West Coast to ensure they comply with our fair trading laws. This week's checks are about making sure that traders are not compromising the rights of consumers.

While OCBA regularly conducts checks in the regions, this specific round of monitoring is the most extensive program carried out in the West Coast region for some time. It is often thought that due to the isolation of regional areas traders have the opportunity to skimp on their legal responsibilities. However, with monitoring programs such as this, obviously this is not the case and they are being put on notice.

OCBA officers will be making sure that store policies are correct, that products offered for sale are safe and that goods are sold by correct weight and measure. Customers have the right to receive the correct quantity when they are paying for it, whether it be for petrol, vegetables or a nip of spirits. Product safety officers are also visiting a range of stores to check that products for sale do not present any safety concerns. Products that are being scrutinised include toys and secondhand goods, as well as banned or regulated products such as corded curtain and blind products, prams, strollers and trolley jacks (which I spoke about yesterday).

Builders and second-hand vehicle dealers are also being checked for compliance with the specific laws that govern their respective trades, and retailers will be examined to make sure that their warranty and refund policies are not misleading. These checks should ensure that fair trading standards are being maintained in the region and, if they are not sure, I encourage consumers with any concerns about traders' conduct to contact the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs.

Traders caught breaching their legislative requirements will be issued with a warning notice and could face infringement notices for not complying with the law. OCBA will obviously monitor the future practices of those traders not complying and, if they are repeat offenders, they risk further action, such as prosecution or fines. For more information or advice, members of the public should feel free to contact the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs and also visit our online services.