Page 4277 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 23 October 2019
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Ms Cheyne: Except if everyone is in on it in the one town.
MR WALL: That is an outrageous statement. That is an absolutely outrageous statement. I would encourage Ms Cheyne and those opposite in Labor to communicate with industry in this town before they bring motions such as this into the Assembly. I encourage them to start listening to those who work in this space every day of the week, to ensure that those opposite understand both sides of the argument and the unintended consequences of what will inevitably follow out of this proposal—unintended poor consumer outcomes. A simple attempt at a conversation would have changed the way this motion was perceived by the industry and would have ensured that better outcomes were achieved.
Again the Barr Labor government have failed. Have they learned anything in 18 years of government? It seems not. Motions such as these, put forward without consulting with everyone who may be affected, are simply insulting, as are her interjections.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong—Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Minister for Corrections and Justice Health, Minister for Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety and Minister for Mental Health) (6.00): I thank Ms Cheyne for bringing this motion to the Assembly today. It provides an opportunity to talk about important issues of consumer rights and consumer protection that do not often get an airing in this place. As the Minister for Consumer Affairs, I am pleased to have the opportunity to talk in this place about some really important areas of what the law currently is and some of the services currently available to consumers.
We do not want consumers being ripped off when they are buying vehicles. They do need appropriate protections and remedies if they get dodgy products. The motion gives us the opportunity to reflect on the importance of consumer protections in the motor vehicle industry. It is a matter that has captured significant attention, both in the ACT and, as Mr Wall noted, nationally in the Consumer Affairs Forum that consumer affairs ministers from across the country attend.
I am pleased to speak about the important work the ACT government is doing to address these concerns. I will also be agreeing with Ms Cheyne’s motion and undertaking further consideration of these issues to see whether there are any appropriate changes that need to be made to the law.
A motor vehicle is a significant purchase for Canberra households. Many consumers rely on them for their daily routine, whether it is taking children to school, getting to work or running a business. After the family home, a motor vehicle is often the second most expensive asset a consumer will purchase. Motor vehicles are also complex pieces of machinery. Modern vehicles, including motorcycles, are fitted with proprietary software and thousands of mechanical and electronic parts.
This complexity leads to a significant power imbalance between consumers, dealers and manufacturers. While many consumers have little or no understanding of the mechanics of a motor vehicle, dealers and manufacturers have access to specialised knowledge and diagnostic tools. It can be difficult for consumers to identify the cause
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