Proprosed New Australian Consumer Law - Make Your Submission

On 17 February 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) released a consultation paper titled "An Australian Consumer Law: Fair Market – Confident Consumers" . The paper proposes the harmonization of consumer protection laws in Australia (including the introduction of new national prohibitions and requirements), through the introduction of the Australian Consumer Law. The new regime is scheduled to be introduced by 31 December 2010. If you wish to provide feedback on the consultation paper, you need to do so by 17 March 2009.

Summary of new prohibitions and requirements

The consultation paper proposes:

• a prohibition on unfair terms in standard form consumer contracts;