IMPOSITION OF INTERIM BAN ON HOVERBOARDS THAT DO NOT MEET SPECIFIC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS I, MICHAEL MISCHIN, Minister for Commerce, pursuant to section 109(1)(a) of the Australian Consumer Law (WA), impose an interim ban on consumer goods of a kind specified below, because it appears to me that these goods, or a reasonably foreseeable use of these goods, may cause injury to any person. The effect...

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard You only have to look up ‘white van speaker scam’ online to find out it happens all over the world and it’s been going on for years. At the moment back of vehicle sellers are currently popping up in metropolitan Perth and regional WA and we want to make sure people steer clear of them. Reports received by Consumer Protection recently...

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard... There are many pleasant things we associate with summer in Western Australia, such as barbecues and swimming, but unfortunately at Consumer Protection it’s a time when we hear of ‘bitumen bandits’ in the State. ‘Bitumen bandits’ turn up at homes and businesses without invitation and then offer to lay driveways at supposedly...

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard The gift card industry is a growing one. We used to purchase gift vouchers directly from the shop or business where they would be redeemed, but it is now commonplace for department stores and supermarkets to have a variety of gift cards for other places on display near the till. In 2015 Consumer Protection received 74 complaints...

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard The holiday season is now in full swing and many families will be travelling and staying in short-stay accommodation which could pose a danger to children if safety standards are ignored. While parents will ensure that their home is a safe environment, the same vigilance may not be applied when on holidays, so it’s important that...

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard Extended retail trading hours for the Christmas period began on the 5 th of December for the Perth metropolitan area, giving shoppers an extra 51 hours to find gifts for family and friends. Major retailers are allowed to open as early as 7am on weekdays and Saturdays, 8am on Sunday and close later at 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays...

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard The start of the bushfire season in Western Australia has been a horrendous one, with the loss of lives and extensive damage cause by wild blazes in the Esperance region as well as serious fires in the outer areas of metropolitan Perth. Watching the scenes of devastation on TV or online, hearing about it on the radio or reading stories...

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection Gary Newcombe... Consumer Protection is seeking feedback on various options for changes to the laws regulating the buying, selling and repair of motor vehicles in Western Australia. These laws impact consumers who buy motor vehicles (including cars, caravans, camper vans and motor cycles) from dealers, as well as consumers who have any of these...

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner Gary Newcombe When you think of Consumer Protection you might associate the agency with helping people who have bought products or services, however tenancy is a big part of what we do. Recently, a landlord who spent tenants’ security bonds, harassed a tenant and took too much rent money up front, was fined $24,000 after we prosecuted him. 37-year-old...

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner Gary Newcombe... You may have seen or heard adverts about ways to pay for your funeral in advance to take the pressure off your family when the time comes. A funeral could cost thousands of dollars depending on the kind of service you want, which means planning ahead is a good idea. However, paying for funeral cover can be expensive and complex. One of...

Travel buying tips to avoid holiday hell The recent collapse of a travel agent business in WA and similar instances over East should send a warning to Australians looking to buy airfares and/or holiday accommodation. Consumers who had paid cash, in person or by direct bank transfer, for travel services lost their money when the agent failed to pass funds on to suppliers or cancelled booked travel...