WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
THE
MORE PROTECTION TO CONSUMER'S RIGHTS PROPOSED
* * *
GOVERNOR. THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROPOSE A PACKAGE OF BILLS TO FURTHER PROTECT CONSUMER'S RIGHTS AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS BUSINESS BEHAVIOUR.
MR PATTEN SAID IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD A DUTY TO PROTECT CONSUMERS AGAINST THOSE UNSCRUPULOUS BUSINESSES WHICH PUT SHORT-TERM PROFITS AHEAD OF THE LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF THEIR
NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH WAS SAFETY.
CUSTOMERS
-
HE PUT FORWARD THREE PROPOSALS TO REDRESS THE BALANCE IN FAVOUR OF THE CONSUMER. THESE ARE :
* A PACKAGE OF THREE BILLS TO IMPOSE CLEAR OBLIGATIONS ON SUPPLIERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT THESE SAFE, OF ACCEPTABLE QUALITY AND OPEN TO INSPECTION CUSTOMER;
THE
ARE
BY
THE
*
AND
A FURTHER BILL TO ENABLE THE COURTS TO STRIKE DOWN REWRITE CONTRACT TERMS WHICH ARE MANIFESTLY UNFAIR TO CONSUMERS; AND
A GRANT OF $11 MILLION TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH A CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVE ACTION FUND TO ENABLE THE COUNCIL TO ASSIST CONSUMERS IN INITIATING CLASS ACTIONS AGAINST A COMMON DEFENDANT AND TO COMMISSION LEGAL CONSULTANCIES ON THE OPERATION OF THE FUND AND OTHER CONSUMER-RELATED MATTERS.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROVIDED FUNDS FOR THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO CONDUCT COMPETITION POLICY STUDIES SPECIFIC TO INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES FOLLOWED CONSULTATION WITH THE BUSINESS COUNCIL.
HE EXPECTED THE GOVERNMENT TO FOLLOW UP EACH MARKET STUDY BY PUBLISHING A DETAILED RESPONSE WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF ITS RELEASE.
HE ALSO PROPOSED TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL $3.5 MILLION NEXT YEAR TO
TO OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL FOR THE EMPLOYMENT
CONSULTANTS PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT.
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