The Implementation Plan
Stage One - Complete
On 17 February 2009 , the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, announced that the Government would move quickly to implement key elements of the Australian Consumer Law.
The Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act (No. 1) 2010 was introduced into the House of Representatives on 24 June 2009. The Bill was passed by both houses of Parliament on 17 March 2010 with amendments and received the Royal Assent on 14 April 2010. This Act implements key elements of the Australian Consumer Law, including the unfair contract terms provisions.
Key Elements:
- Establishing a single, national consumer law: the Australian Consumer Law.
- Making provision for the application, administration and amendment of the Australian Consumer Law.
- Introducing a national provision regulating unfair contract terms.
- Introducing the new penalties, enforcement powers and consumer redress options.
The unfair contract terms law commenced on 1 July 2010 as a law of the Commonwealth — and applies to corporations. The States and Territories will be able to apply the unfair contract terms provision from 1 July 2010, should they decide to do so. Victoria and New South Wales have done so.
Stage Two - Complete
On 17 March 2010 , the Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, the Hon Dr Craig Emerson MP, introduced the Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act (No. 2) 2010 into the House of Representatives. The Act was passed by both houses of Parliament on 24 June 2010 with amendments and received the Royal Assent on 13 July 2010. This Act will implement the entire Australian Consumer Law.
