National Strategy

Introduction

This is an updated plan for implementation of the ‘Taking action, gaining trust‘ National Indigenous Consumer Strategy Action Plan 2010-2013.

The original National Indigenous Consumer Strategy Action Plan ‘Taking action gaining trust’ was prepared by the SCOCA working party representing all Commonwealth, State and Territory Government consumer agencies and endorsed by MCCA. The Action Plan was launched in September 2005.

A National Indigenous Consumer Strategy Reference Group (the NICS Reference Group) consisting of representatives of Australian SCOCA agencies was established to monitor and co-ordinate implementation of the Action Plan.

The objectives of the 2005 – 2010 Action Plan were to:

• improve Indigenous consumers’ knowledge of their rights and obligations under consumer protection laws and achieve greater Indigenous access to consumer
  protection programs
• improve the behaviour of traders, through education and compliance activity, to reduce the detriment experienced by Indigenous consumers
• promote effective engagement and partnership between consumer protection agencies, Indigenous organisations, business and other government agencies to improve consumer outcomes for Indigenous people.

These objectives remain relevant. However, as a result of SCOCA’s March 2009 recommendations, the NICS Reference Group held a workshop in Sydney in June 2009 to develop a new Action Plan to take the Strategy forward for a further three years.

This new refined Action Plan identifies actions under three key priority areas:

• Trading practices
• Housing
• Consumer literacy

The new Action Plan also makes provision for jurisdictions to:

• evaluate communication initiatives and to identify and document best practice
• enhance complaint processes to encourage and accommodate Indigenous consumer needs
• focus on unfair contract terms and contract legislation relevant to Indigenous consumers
• continue and enhance referral protocols between consumer protection agencies and other organisations servicing Indigenous consumers.

Statement of Commitment

As the Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs, we have accepted responsibility for the development and implementation of the National Indigenous Consumer Strategy. This action plan demonstrates our continued shared responsibility for ensuring that Australia’s performance in Indigenous affairs is continually improved.

The action plan will focus our efforts in working together to improve outcomes for Indigenous consumers.

Commonwealth, State and Territory consumer agencies are committed to:

• the promotion of basic consumer rights recognised by the United Nations for Indigenous people in Australia
• improving market outcomes for Indigenous consumers
• ensuring Indigenous consumers have equal access to the services each agency provides.

We are further committed to working co-operatively on the issues and actions identified in the plan. We are also committed to regularly reviewing our achievements against the actions and will further develop the plan in light of these achievements.

We recognise that there are many other stakeholders who make significant contributions to improving Australia’s performance regarding Indigenous consumer affairs. We invite stakeholders to adopt and implement the action plan.