The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is developing an outreach program to ensure that communities in rural and regional Australia are more informed about their rights under the Trade Practices Act and better p
repared to alert the ACCC to anti competitive practices and consumer protection issues.
Over the next six months, the ACCC will be actively working with rural and regional communities to identify relevant trade practices issues, assisting the ACCC to better target the work of the Program.
The ACCC already has an extensive network of contacts throughout all States and Territories, including representatives of small business industry associations, Local Government Associations, Area Consultative Committees and Business Enterprise Centres. Building upon this existing network, the ACCC is appointing Regional Outreach Officers in each of its regional offices. These officers will continue to establish partnerships throughout their State or Territory, working with Local Government in the area as well as industry and consumer groups.
A program of regular visits, seminars and presentations for rural and regional communities will be developed to provide accessible trade practices information. This will ensure that businesses and consumers in these communities can more easily communicate their trade practices concerns to the ACCC.
The Program will also incorporate the ‘Competing Fairly Forum’ satellite broadcasts. The ACCC has successfully produced two such broadcasts to rural and regional towns throughout Australia. The first, held in November 2000 explored broad trade practices issues, while the second, held in May 2001 looked specifically at unconscionable conduct in business.
The broadcasts have provided people in regional communities with the opportunity to participate directly with the ACCC’s Chairman and Commissioners, and other trade practices experts, in order to have their concerns heard. The next Competing Fairly Forum, to be held on 2 October 2001, will focus on advertising and selling. More information on the forums is available on the website at forums.accc.gov.au The ACCC produces a wide range of literature and publications about the Trade Practices Act and the Commission’s role and functions. The new Rural and Regional Program will develop further publications, including videos on topical issues.
The ACCC recently produced a video on unconscionable conduct, Fair Game or Fair Go, with an emphasis on rural and regional small business operators. Supplementing the range of publications, the Program will also be targeting rural and regional press with advertisements and articles on trade practices issues.
For more information on the Rural and Regional Program please call the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502 or visit the ACCC website at www.accc.gov.au.
*Copy supplied by ACCC
