Page 583 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 1991
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The Door-to-Door Act was developed in the late 1960s, as Mr Connolly mentioned. The two objectives of the Bill are to minimise losses caused to ordinary consumers by unfair marketing practices; and to promote a fair marketplace and reduce anti-competitive practices which disadvantage honest traders. That is the issue Mr Stevenson did not take up. It is the fly-by-nighters who undercut and give a bad name to the reputable direct sellers in this market. There are reputable direct sellers.
The objectives of this uniform trading legislation provide for an extended cooling-off period of 10 days, during which the consumer can rescind the contract. The legislation assists the consumer to make comparisons with other goods on the market, or to take advice. It prohibits the taking of deposits during that cooling-off period, to facilitate rescission. It also extends cooling-off provisions to cash sales contracts, and it extends the rescission provisions for a further six months if traders fail to comply with key provisions of the legislation. It also regulates trading hours. As Mr Connolly observed, that is generally consistent across the nation.
This is part of a package of consumer protection legislation that is being developed nationally, and is being concurred with by the Alliance Government. I commend the Bill to the house.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Detail Stage
MR COLLAERY (Attorney-General) (12.50): Mr Speaker, I wish to move three amendments to the Door-to-Door Trading Bill, as circulated in the chamber. The first two amendments have arisen out of representations from the Direct Selling Association of Australia, which is the national industry organisation representing door-to-door traders. The third and final amendment is the result of a recommendation of the Assembly Scrutiny of Bills Committee. I am indebted to that committee for drawing this matter to the attention of the Government.
The effect of the amendments is set out in the supplementary memorandum. The first two amendments relate to trading hours; the first being consequent upon the adoption of the second. The effect of this amendment would be to allow door-to-door traders to operate on any day of the year, including public holidays, except for Good Friday, Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. Trading will be limited, on Saturday, Sunday and the public holidays not mentioned, from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
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