Congress Proceedings
Melbourne
March 14-15 2007
A copy of the 2007 National Consumer Congress Programme is available in PDF [1.3MB].
Day 1 - March 14 2007
Opening address
The Hon Chris Pearce MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer
| Session Transcript | 40KB PDF | 37KB RTF |
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What’s hot and what’s not — consumer policy on the global stage
Michael Jenkin, Director General of the Office of Consumer Affairs at Industry Canada and Chair of the OECD Committee of Consumer Policy
This session identified emerging consumer issues, considered how the consumer environment is evolving and discussed the new challenges this presents.
| Session Transcript | 69KB PDF | 72KB RTF |
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Mapping the future — Australia’s consumer demographics
Bernard Salt, demographer and Partner of KPMG
Consumer demographics are constantly evolving. This session explored the characteristics of tomorrow’s consumers and the implications for Australian businesses, consumers and policy-makers.
| Session Presentation Slides | 4.6MB PPS | |
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| Session Transcript | 62KB PDF | 65KB RTF |
Swindles, scams and stings
Kevin Zuccato, Director, Australian High Tech Crime Centre
Russell Smith, Principal Criminologist, Australian Institute of Criminology
Delia Rickard, Director, Office of Consumer Protection, Australian Securities and Investments Commission
Chaired by Louise Sylvan, Deputy Chair, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
What types of scams are consumers being faced with? Who are the most vulnerable and how can we empower consumers to recognise and avoid scams?
| Session Presentation Slides | 1.9MB PPS | |
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| Session Transcript | 66KB PDF | 81KB RTF |
| Session Handout | Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice | |
Win-win situations: the relationship between business and consumers
Jenny Fagg, Managing Director, Consumer Finance ANZ
Peter Kell, CEO, Choice
Consumers and business together with governments share responsibility for responding to consumer issues. But why should consumers be important to business, and how can both parties benefit?
| Session Presentation Slides | 2.3MB PPS | |
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| Session Transcript | 39KB PDF | 44KB RTF |
| Speaking Notes | 70KB PDF |
Concurrent Session 1: Working together
Chris Field, Economic Regulation Authority
How can governments, regulators, business and consumers work together for the long-term interests of the community?
| Session Presentation Slides | 1.1MB PPS |
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Concurrent Session 2: Are you being scammed?
Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce
This session explored how consumers, business and policymakers can best respond to scams.
| Session Presentation Slides | 2.1MB PPS |
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Concurrent Session 3: Procedural fairness: striking the balance
Elisabeth Wentworth, Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman
Why is procedural fairness important? What does it involve and who really benefits?
| Session Presentation Slides | 89KB PPS |
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Filling the gaps — financial literacy in Australia
Paul Clitheroe, Chairman, Financial Literacy Foundation Advisory Board
How financially literate are Australians? This session discussed the gaps in Australia’s financial literacy, their implications for consumers and possible strategies to address these challenges.
| Session Presentation Slides | 339KB PPS |
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Day 2 - 15 March 2007
Seeds of change in Australia’s consumer environment
Robert Fitzgerald, Commissioner, Productivity Commission
Catriona Lowe, Co-CEO, Consumer Action Law Centre Victoria
Peter Hendy, CEO, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The much-anticipated Productivity Commission inquiry into Australia’s consumer policy framework and its administration is set to transform Australia’s consumer policy environment. This session featured an in-depth discussion of the inquiry, reflecting on its implications for consumers and business.
| Session Transcript | 92KB PDF | 134KB RTF |
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A regulator’s reflections on future frameworks
Graeme Samuel, Chairman, ACCC
| Session Transcript | 71KB PDF | 91KB RTF |
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Concurrent Session 1: Competition and consumers — working together
Louise Sylvan, ACCC
Michael Jenkin, Director General of the Office of Consumer Affairs at Industry
Canada and Chair of the OECD Committee of Consumer Policy
Competition and consumer policy work hand in hand. But how do these fit together and how can we maximise the benefits?
| Session Presentation Slides | 207KB PPS |
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| Session Handout | 688KB PDF |
Concurrent Session 2: Cutting the red tape: effective consumer regulation
Carolyn Bond, Consumer Action Law Centre Victoria
How can we ensure that regulation does what we want it to and how can we avoid ineffective regulation?
| Session Presentation Slides | 242KB PPS |
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Concurrent Session 3: Engaging with the inquiry — have your say
Robert Fitzgerald, Productivity Commission
This session enabled participants to express their views on the consumer policy framework directly to the Productivity Commission.
| Session Transcript | 63KB PDF | 78KB RTF |
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Shopping for policy: empowering and informing consumers
Liz MacPherson, General Manager, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, New Zealand
David Cousins, Director, Consumer Affairs Victoria
Colin Neave, Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman
Gordon Renouf, General Manager Policy and Campaigns, Choice
Policy-makers must consider a range of approaches when designing policies that will assist and empower consumers. This session explored possible responses through short presentations and a hypothetical discussion hosted by George Negus.
| Session Transcript | 122KB PDF | 177KB RTF |
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Soap Box
The Soap Box was an opportunity for delegates to make a short presentation to the Congress on a topic of their choice.
| Session Transcript | 49KB PDF | 56KB RTF |
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Connecting consumers and the economy: a big picture view
Dr Ken Henry, Secretary to the Treasury
| Session Transcript | 36KB PDF | 101KB RTF |
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