02 April 2019
2 min read
The Federal Government has announced a new round of consultation on proposed measures to further strengthen laws on unfair contract terms. The announcement follows a 2016-2018 review which found that while protections for small business had improved, industry confusion around implementation has persisted, there is a lack of regulatory guidance and the deterrence effect has been limited. As it stands, unfair contract terms can be voided but the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) cannot seek pecuniary penalties for that offence alone.
In response to the review findings, the government will now move to consider the following substantive changes (in addition to an array of technical amendments):
The proposal aligns with the ACCC’s ongoing focus on unfair contracts and repeated calls by its Chairman Rod Sims for increased powers and penalties to encourage change in business behaviours.
If adopted, these changes would follow standing commitments to extend the current regime to insurance contracts, and an earlier announcement by the Federal Labor Party that it would outlaw unfair contract terms and increase fines. The consultation will also consider whether the proposed changes could be extended to consumer and insurance contracting.
Author: Georgia Milne
Contacts:
Sydney
Darren Pereira, Partner
T: +61 2 8083 0487
E: darren.pereira@holdingredlich.com
Melbourne
Dan Pearce, Partner
T: +61 3 9321 9840
E: dan.pearce@holdingredlich.com
Brisbane
Trent Taylor, Partner
T: +61 7 3135 0668
E: trent.taylor@holdingredlich.com
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