CONSUMER PROTECTION

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (15:03): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Consumer Affairs a question about assisting vulnerable consumers.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I understand that part of the role of the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs is to promote awareness within the community about consumer rights and to empower vulnerable consumer groups around these rights. Will the minister advise the chamber about OCBA's work with vulnerable consumer groups?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (15:03): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. The Office of Consumer and Business Affairs is committed to educating and empowering consumers to protect themselves in the marketplace and in other areas in our community. In recent months, OCBA has bolstered its efforts to provide additional protections to vulnerable consumer groups, including older South Australians.

Recently I have become concerned about the number of constituents who are obviously worried about their loved ones and have become vulnerable to exploitation and are at risk of being preyed upon by unscrupulous traders. As members would be aware, we live in an ageing society, and concerns expressed by constituents have resonated strongly with the value I place on the contribution of older people in our community.

As a direct result of these concerns, I have encouraged OCBA in the development of a number of initiatives that will directly cater for older South Australians. As part of a range of education, information, brochures, pamphlets and other things relating to the new Australian Consumer Law, OCBA has produced information explaining the rules governing door-to-door sales arrangements, and these are being distributed to a wide range of service providers that support older people within our community.

In March this year, OCBA gave a presentation at a forum organised for the staff and volunteers of Meals on Wheels. We know that older people can be the target of dishonest traders, and this forum was an opportunity to encourage participants to consider the consumer issues that may affect their clients and alert them to the assistance that OCBA can provide. Last month, OCBA addressed a carers' roundtable, which was a fantastic initiative organised by the Department for Families and Communities.

This provided OCBA with the chance to liaise with carer organisations and to provide them with information about a range of consumer issues, such as scams. It also looked at what resources are available to assist their clients. I am also advised that OCBA has now committed to contributing to articles in carers' newsletters and publications, wherever possible, to provide ongoing education to this sector. OCBA has also become a representative on the new volunteer-based advisory service, Seniors Wise SA.

I am advised that this service raises community awareness about ageing-related issues and provides information and encouragement, and also supports local businesses in providing senior-friendly services. OCBA, in partnership with DFC, has also provided Senior Wise SA with assistance in its senior-friendly business certification scheme. This allows Senior Wise SA to liaise with OCBA about a business's credibility before they grant a business certification on the scheme.

OCBA will continue to network with the Office for Ageing to discuss information sharing and also further joint initiatives. South Australia's older population obviously has an amazing contribution to make to our community, and I am very proud of the work this government is doing in order to offer them support and empower them to feel safe from unscrupulous and unwanted traders.