Minister for Fair Trading, Matthew Mason-Cox, today marked World Consumer Rights Day by acknowledging NSW Fair Trading’s work to protect consumers and focussing on key areas of reform this year.

“The rights enjoyed by NSW consumers today are the culmination of more than 50 years of partnership between government, stakeholders and consumer advocacy groups,” Mr Mason-Cox said.

NSW introduced the nation’s first comprehensive set of consumer protection laws and established Australia’s first dedicated consumer affairs agency.

Today, consumers see NSW Fair Trading as the agency they can go to if they have a problem with a trader and need help to get a fair deal.

We have some exciting reforms ahead of us, from clarifying the law as it applies to underquoting in the real estate industry and increasing penalties for rogue agents, to improving protections for residents living in NSW residential parks.

In the motor vehicle repair industry we are increasing penalties to promote ethical conduct, consumer choice and delivering higher standards of vehicle repairs for consumers.

In a first for this state, NSW Fair Trading is establishing an industry trust account to protect subcontractors’ money in the event a construction company collapses.

Last year, NSW Fair Trading assisted more than 45,000 consumers and traders across the State. Around 90 per cent of complaints were resolved without recourse to a tribunal or court.

The most common areas of enquiries relate to second hand motor vehicles, residential building and major household items such as electrical items and whitegoods.

Last year, a record number of education programs were delivered to consumers and traders, with more than 55,000 people participating in NSW Fair Trading sessions.