AGY-1049 | Bureau of Consumer Affairs

Full description

The Consumer Protection Act, 1969 (Act No. 28, 1969) established a Consumer Affairs Council (1) and a Consumer Affairs Bureau (2) The Consumer Affairs Bureau was an administrative unit within the Department of Labour and Industry. (3) The functions of the bureau were to : . provide advice regarding the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act and other legislation administered by the Department relating to the interest of consumers; . take or initiate action against infringements of consumer legislation; . give advice on matters relating to consumers' interests; . receive complaints concerning fraudulent or unfair tread or commercial practices, where necessary referring the complaint to the relevant Agency to take action or provide advice; . conduct research , collect. collate and disseminate information relating to consumers and their needs. (4) Initially the Bureau operated within the Consumer Affairs Division, Department of Labour and Industry together with the Prices Branch and the Weights and Measures Office (5) In 1973 it moved to the newly created Ministry of Consumer Affairs which became the Department of Consumer Affairs in 1977. The Council for Consumer Affairs reported annually to the Minister on behalf of the Bureau. The Consumer Affairs Bureau was abolished by the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act, 1978 and its functions were transferred to the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs. (6) The Act commenced on 1 June, 1978 (7) 1) Consumer Protection Act, 1969 s. 7(1) (2) Ibid. s. 15 (3) Consumer Protection Act, 1969 . s. 16 (4) Report of the Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Council upon the activities of the Council and of the Consumer Affairs Bureau for the year ended 30 June, 1970, p. 20 in NSW Parliamentary Papers 1969-70-71, Volume 3 p. 20 (5) Ibid. (6) Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act, 1978 Schedule 2 (6) amendments to the principal Act Part II Division 3) (7) NSW Government Gazette 26 May, 1978 p. 1933