Fair Trading Act 2010

The functions of the Commissioner include the following —

to promote the interests of consumers and assist them to a greater awareness in relation to their assessment and use of goods and services;

to collect, collate and disseminate information in respect of matters affecting the interests of consumers;

to receive complaints from consumers concerning matters affecting their interests as consumers, to consider and, if the Commissioner considers it warranted, to investigate those complaints and to take whatever action in respect of those complaints as seems proper to the Commissioner;

to receive complaints of fraudulent or deceptive practices in relation to matters that affect or are likely to affect the interests of consumers, and to make whatever investigations and inquiries and to take whatever other action in respect of those complaints as seems proper to the Commissioner;

to advise and assist consumers who seek from the Commissioner information or guidance on matters affecting their interests as consumers;

to encourage and undertake the dissemination of information concerning consumer affairs to producers, manufacturers and suppliers of goods or services;

to perform any other functions that are conferred or imposed on the Commissioner by this Act or any other Act.

Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the Commissioner is to —

make whatever recommendations to the Minister the Commissioner considers necessary or desirable in the interests of consumers and, in particular, investigate and make recommendations to the Minister in relation to any matters that concern the need for, or desirability of, legislative or administrative action in the interests of consumers;

advise the Minister on any matters affecting the interests of consumers that the Minister may refer to the Commissioner;

make recommendations to the Minister for the establishment and maintenance of means by which —

matters that affect the interests of consumers and of persons engaged in the production, manufacture, preparation or supply of goods or in commerce or in the provision of services may receive adequate consideration; and

information concerning those matters and considerations may be widely disseminated.

The Commissioner may cooperate, associate or consult with organisations that have the power to make investigations of the nature referred to in subsection (2)(a).