2007 National Consumer Congress

Successful National Consumer Congress Wraps Up

Over 250 government, business, academic and consumer representatives and community groups gathered for the annual National Consumer Congress to discuss key consumer issues and perspectives on the way forward in the area of consumer policy.

The Congress commenced on Wednesday 14 March with the bold vision of exploring new consumer challenges and trends, frameworks for responding to change and future directions in consumer policy.

Speakers and participants engaged with the key consumer issues including the review of consumer policy, changing consumers and marketplaces, scams, financial literacy, complaint handling and effective regulation.

Highlights of the Congress included addresses by Mr Paul Clitheroe, Mr Michael Jenkin, Chair of the OECD Committee on Consumer Policy, Mr Bernard Salt, demographer and partner of KPMG and Dr Ken Henry, Secretary of the Treasury. In addition, an in-depth panel discussion of the Productivity Commission inquiry into Australia’s consumer policy framework was held, reflecting on its implications for consumers and business.

Presentations and transcripts from the Congress are available from the Congress Proceedings page.