50 years of consumer rights – how far have we come? Jenni Mack

Consumer rights The right to safety The right to be informed The right to choose The right to be heard

Substantial achievements … but many have taken time … 50 years for unit pricing 15 years for nutrition labelling 15 years for mandatory product safety standards 20 years for national consumer law 20 years for national consumer credit law

Role of Consumers International Expanded on the first four rights Won international recognition for those rights 1985 UN Guidelines on Consumer Protection CI added – satisfaction of basic needs, redress, education, a healthy environment

Early protections Weights and measures Fraudulent ingredients “Dangerous people” Hawkers and peddlers Act 1849 (QLD) Pawnbrokers act 1857 (Tas) Mondey lenders Act 1912 (WA)

First wave organisations National Council of Woman, Country Women’s Association and Federated Association of Australian Housewives Advocacy tools: consumer boycotts and protest marches Market interventions: co-operatives, bulk buying and discount for cash schemes

Post war boom Economic prosperity, high employment, growth in manufacturing Explosion in white goods and small appliances Emergence of consumer testing organisations Ruby Hutchison set up Choice

1960s April First Choice magazine 1000 members a week 1965 Unsafe at Any Speed Nader’s Raiders

1970s Trade Practices Act 1974 Standards of business conduct s52 misleading and deceptive conduct ban Linked competition and consumer policy

1970s activism CFA established Radical groups - BugaUp Global Nestle boycott

1980s – expansion Federal Bureau of Consumer Affairs Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs PM Hawke gives first Ruby Hutchison address Consumer’s Health Forum Consumers Telecommunications Network Financial counselling Community legal centres

1990s Litigation penalties fund advocacy and assistance Working with industry Rise of economic policy in consumer debates The demanding demand side

Consumer policy to Treasury Wallis financial system reforms National consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 Unfair Contract Terms 2010 Australian Consumer Law 2011 Stronger Super Future of Financial Advice Payday lending National disaster insurance reform

2000s - behavioural economics Integration of psychology and economics Looks at how people actually behave Policy tools from behavioural economics Choice architecture defaults

Future of Financial Advice reforms Disclosure doesn’t work for conflicts – hence banned Opt-in or mandatory contract renewal to end passive income problem Opt-in works on both consumer behaviour and adviser behaviour

This decade? Consumer solutions without government or industry FoodSwitch App

Consumer initiated campaigns Dave Carroll – United Breaks Guitars Adam Brimo – Vodafail Change.org

Consumer rights - relevant as ever Consumer rights, social justice and sustainability will continue to underpin consumer policy $3.6million fine against Optus for misleading and deceptive conduct New technology doesn’t mean old problems go away

This decade - content? Access to services Sustainable consumption Food regulation to address obesity Superannuation March of technology Confusopoly

This decade - advocacy? For Choice Consumers want more than info For all groups Funding?

Glaring gaps Superannuation consumer advice and advocacy centre Funding for CFA

Agile and innovative Productive 50 years But no certainty because of them Consumer rights as relevant as ever We must be more agile and innovative Ready to respond quicker More determined than ever