Consumer and Business Services

116 The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (25 October 2018). Can the Attorney-General advise:

1. What are the occupations, industries, organisations and significant life events Consumer and Business Services licence or register? How many registrations in total and how many new requests does Consumer and Business Services usually receive each year?

2. What are the services that Consumer and Business Services provide, including how many ongoing dispute resolution hearings are held each year, how many new hearings are held each year? How many hearings are completed each year?

3. What education or advising campaigns Consumer and Business Services ran in 2017-18 and what education or advising campaigns does Consumer and Business Services intend to run in 2018-19?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): The Attorney-General has provided the following advice:

1. Consumer and Business Services (CBS) regulates certain occupations, industries and sectors, which may include licensing and registration, under the following legislation:

i. Building Work Contractors Act 1995

ii. Second-hand Vehicle Dealers Act 1995

iii. Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Act 1995

iv. Security and Investigation Industry Act 1995

v. Land Agents Act 1994

vi. Conveyancers 1994

vii. Land Valuers Act 1995

viii. Tattooing Industry Control Act 2015

ix. Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017

x. Liquor Licensing Act 1997

xi. Gaming Machines Act 1992

xii. Lottery and Gaming Act 1936

xiii. Associations Incorporation Act 1985

xiv. Cooperative National Law (SA) Act 2013

xv. Collections for Charitable Purposes Act 1939

xvi. Casino Act 1997

xvii. Authorised Betting Operations Act 2000

CBS is also responsible for recording significant life events under the Birth, Deaths and Marriages Act 1996 and related legislation, such as the Justices of the Peace Act 2005, Adoption Act 1988, Sexual Reassignment Act 1988, Partnership Act 1891, Marriage Act 1961 and Burial and Cremation Act 2013.

The total number of licences and registrations and the number of applications is reported in the Attorney-General's Department Annual Report.

2. CBS carries out a diverse range of services, including licencing and registration, dispute resolution and education and awareness campaigns.

With respect to dispute resolution, CBS provides a fair trading and tenancy advisory service.

3. CBS education and engagement campaigns in 2017-18 included:

Education about the sharing economy

A campaign to inform car buyers of the important protections

A campaign to inform members of the public about romance scams and staying safe online.

Raising awareness of exemptions from fees to receive paper bills in the post.

Informing consumers of the free services available to assist them in dealing with money worries

Product safety campaigns

Raising awareness of consumer rights in relation to:

Tenancy rights

Recognising and avoiding scams

Buying goods or services

Buying tickets to festivals and events

Signing up for a gym membership.

Promoting the new relationship register for South Australia

Education about phase 1 of the liquor reforms

Informing the property sector about more stringent guidelines for agents

Digital licences and passes

Licences for builders, plumbers, gasfitters, electricians and the security industry were added to the list of digitally available licences via the mySA GOV app.

Digital registrations for land agents and land sales representatives which became available during the previous financial year.

Education and engagement campaigns in 2018/19

CBS is supporting the 'Ask for Angela' campaign, to promote patron safety in and around licensed venues.

Raising awareness of consumer rights in relation to:

Tenancy rights

Residential parks

Consumer directed aged care

Country of origin labelling

Toppling furniture

Services supplied by the fitness industry

Education about phase 2 and 3 of the liquor reforms

Product safety campaigns as issues arise

A campaign regarding property managers

A campaign regarding strata and community title properties.