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On 28 February 2018 the Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, Tim Hammond, delivered a speech before the House of Representatives on consumer affairs in light of the recent reshuffle of cabinet. He expressed his concern over the fact that there is no longer a minister for consumer affairs looking out for vulnerable consumers:

“… It’s gone, vanished like Houdini: no minister for consumer affairs.”

In his speech, he outlined the Labor governments long record of standing up for consumers through the introduction of legislation such as the Trade Practices Act and the Competition and Consumer Act, annexing the Australian Consumer Law.

Mr Hammond also took the opportunity to note the important work carried out by consumer advocates and community legal centres nation wide on a day-to-day basis and their role in protecting the rights of vulnerable consumers. Among those organisations mentioned in his speech was CCLSWA

“I’d like to take the time to acknowledge all the incredible hard work that the groups who champion the cause of vulnerable consumers do…[including] my local team, Consumer Credit Legal Service, on Adelaide Terrace in Perth, that many, many moons ago I was once a member of…”

He went on to accuse the government of “dropping the ball” on reforms in the rent-to buy and payday lending spaces by failing to progress the legislation approved by their cabinet.

Tim Hammond is the Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, Shadow Minister Assisting for Resourcs and  Federal Member for Perth.

You can read more of Tim’s speech here.

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