A WA parliamentary question seeks information on the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection's (DOCEP) assessment and actions regarding 'rogue traders' in the soft furnishings industry, particularly concerning compliance with regulations and consumer protection.

AnsweredQoN 1718Legislative Assembly
Asked
25 June 2003
Portfolio
Consumer and Employment Protection

QuestionView source ↗

(1) What assessment has the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection undertaken regarding the incidence of ‘rogue traders’ in the soft furnishings trade, being businesses that operate outside Local, State and Federal regulations and legislation?
(2) Is the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection aware of examples of advertising in community newspapers for ‘backyard’ operators running businesses which make and/or sell soft furnishings such as curtains, cushions and bedspreads?
(3) If so, does the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection regularly investigate these backyard businesses to determine their compliance with -
(a) State laws and regulations;
(b) Local Government requirements; and
(c) Federal requirements?
(4) How many investigations of this kind have been conducted since February 2001 and, of these, how many resulted in -
(a) warnings; and/or
(b) punitive action?
(5) Are customers of rogue traders involved in soft furnishings manufacturing or sales covered by the same consumer protection measures as are customers of legitimate businesses?
(6) What action is taken by the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection to ensure that any contravention by rogue traders of Local or Federal law, regulations or by-laws is pursued in earnest to ensure compliance and, where appropriate, punitive action taken by the relevant authorities?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
12 August 2003
Responded by
Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection
Response time
48 days
(b) Local Government requirements; and (c) Federal requirements?
(c) Federal requirements?
(b) punitive action?
(5) Yes. (6) As for Questions 3 and 4, information passed to another enforcement agency means it is beyond the jurisdiction of DOCEP, and it is not possible therefore to direct the actions taken by those authorities.
(6) As for Questions 3 and 4, information passed to another enforcement agency means it is beyond the jurisdiction of DOCEP, and it is not possible therefore to direct the actions taken by those authorities.

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