❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the community consultation process for the proposed Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) Bill, questioning the extent and nature of consultation with community and consumer groups and the basis for claiming broad support.
AnsweredQoN 553Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to the community consultation process that was taken in the conception of the proposed Economic Regulation Authority. In the ‘Consulting Citizens - A Resource Guide’ document launched by the Premier in April 2002, a number of principles of good community consultation are established, and I draw the substance of my question from these principles -
(1) For each of the following, can the Minister describe what actions the Government has taken in the case of the proposed Economic Regulation Authority -
(a) profile the community or region so you know the people you need to work with;
(b) educate them about the issues and alternatives already identified; and
(c) participate with them in a process of mutual education and joint problem solving?
(2) The Minister recently stated that the ERA Bill has ‘received broad support from industry and consumer groups’, can the Minister state -
(a) which groups were approached by Treasury to provide feedback on the Bill;
(b) which of these groups does the Minister consider to be a consumer group; and
(c) on what basis the Minister was given the impression that these groups have given the Bill broad support?
(1) For each of the following, can the Minister describe what actions the Government has taken in the case of the proposed Economic Regulation Authority -
(a) profile the community or region so you know the people you need to work with;
(b) educate them about the issues and alternatives already identified; and
(c) participate with them in a process of mutual education and joint problem solving?
(2) The Minister recently stated that the ERA Bill has ‘received broad support from industry and consumer groups’, can the Minister state -
(a) which groups were approached by Treasury to provide feedback on the Bill;
(b) which of these groups does the Minister consider to be a consumer group; and
(c) on what basis the Minister was given the impression that these groups have given the Bill broad support?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
8 April 2003
Responded by
Minister for Racing and Gaming representing the Treasurer
Response time
21 days
(b) educate them about the issues and alternatives already identified; and (c) participate with them in a process of mutual education and joint problem solving?
(c) participate with them in a process of mutual education and joint problem solving?
(b) which of these groups does the Minister consider to be a consumer group; and (c) on what basis the Minister was given the impression that these groups have given the Bill broad support?
(c) on what basis the Minister was given the impression that these groups have given the Bill broad support?
(b) a consultation paper was released as part of the consultation process to assist interested parties in making a submission. The paper outlined relevant background and identified issues for consideration. The paper was made available on the Department of Treasury and Finance website. The paper was also mailed to numerous organisations including the Australian Consumers Association, WACOSS, government departments and agencies (including the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection), government trading enterprises, other jurisdictions, industry associations and private sector companies. Several presentations and meetings were held upon request; (c) 26 submissions were received indicating general support for the establishment of a multi-industry economic regulator. Non-confidential submissions were posted on the Department of Treasury and Finance website. A formal response was made to all submissions. Follow-up meetings were undertaken with interested stakeholders. (2) (a) An advanced draft of the Economic Regulation Authority Bill 2002 was provided for comment to the industry and consumer associations that provided submissions as part of the public consultation process, including WACOSS. In addition, the draft Bill was provided for comment to relevant government departments and agencies, (including the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP)), government trading enterprises, several interested private sector companies, and other jurisdictions. Ongoing briefings have been provided on the Bill since its introduction, including a meeting with the Conservation Council of Western Australia and briefings for opposition parties. (b) WACOSS and the DOCEP. DOCEP has a role in promoting consumer protection and fair trading in Western Australia. WACOSS has a role in promoting the interests of disadvantaged and low income consumers, and community and consumer interests more generally; (c) through feedback as part of public consultation. For example, the DOCEP submission states 'overall the creation of the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) is supported'. WACOSS suggestion for the inclusion of 'social and environmental considerations' in legislation has been addressed through a consequential amendment to the water industry licensing regime which provides for the ERA to consider these matters as a public interest criteria. No subsequent comments on the draft ERA Bill were provided by WACOSS.
(c) 26 submissions were received indicating general support for the establishment of a multi-industry economic regulator. Non-confidential submissions were posted on the Department of Treasury and Finance website. A formal response was made to all submissions. Follow-up meetings were undertaken with interested stakeholders. (2) (a) An advanced draft of the Economic Regulation Authority Bill 2002 was provided for comment to the industry and consumer associations that provided submissions as part of the public consultation process, including WACOSS. In addition, the draft Bill was provided for comment to relevant government departments and agencies, (including the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP)), government trading enterprises, several interested private sector companies, and other jurisdictions. Ongoing briefings have been provided on the Bill since its introduction, including a meeting with the Conservation Council of Western Australia and briefings for opposition parties. (b) WACOSS and the DOCEP. DOCEP has a role in promoting consumer protection and fair trading in Western Australia. WACOSS has a role in promoting the interests of disadvantaged and low income consumers, and community and consumer interests more generally; (c) through feedback as part of public consultation. For example, the DOCEP submission states 'overall the creation of the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) is supported'. WACOSS suggestion for the inclusion of 'social and environmental considerations' in legislation has been addressed through a consequential amendment to the water industry licensing regime which provides for the ERA to consider these matters as a public interest criteria. No subsequent comments on the draft ERA Bill were provided by WACOSS.
(2) (a) An advanced draft of the Economic Regulation Authority Bill 2002 was provided for comment to the industry and consumer associations that provided submissions as part of the public consultation process, including WACOSS. In addition, the draft Bill was provided for comment to relevant government departments and agencies, (including the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP)), government trading enterprises, several interested private sector companies, and other jurisdictions. Ongoing briefings have been provided on the Bill since its introduction, including a meeting with the Conservation Council of Western Australia and briefings for opposition parties. (b) WACOSS and the DOCEP. DOCEP has a role in promoting consumer protection and fair trading in Western Australia. WACOSS has a role in promoting the interests of disadvantaged and low income consumers, and community and consumer interests more generally; (c) through feedback as part of public consultation. For example, the DOCEP submission states 'overall the creation of the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) is supported'. WACOSS suggestion for the inclusion of 'social and environmental considerations' in legislation has been addressed through a consequential amendment to the water industry licensing regime which provides for the ERA to consider these matters as a public interest criteria. No subsequent comments on the draft ERA Bill were provided by WACOSS.
(b) WACOSS and the DOCEP. DOCEP has a role in promoting consumer protection and fair trading in Western Australia. WACOSS has a role in promoting the interests of disadvantaged and low income consumers, and community and consumer interests more generally; (c) through feedback as part of public consultation. For example, the DOCEP submission states 'overall the creation of the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) is supported'. WACOSS suggestion for the inclusion of 'social and environmental considerations' in legislation has been addressed through a consequential amendment to the water industry licensing regime which provides for the ERA to consider these matters as a public interest criteria. No subsequent comments on the draft ERA Bill were provided by WACOSS.
(c) through feedback as part of public consultation. For example, the DOCEP submission states 'overall the creation of the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) is supported'. WACOSS suggestion for the inclusion of 'social and environmental considerations' in legislation has been addressed through a consequential amendment to the water industry licensing regime which provides for the ERA to consider these matters as a public interest criteria. No subsequent comments on the draft ERA Bill were provided by WACOSS.
(c) participate with them in a process of mutual education and joint problem solving?
(b) which of these groups does the Minister consider to be a consumer group; and (c) on what basis the Minister was given the impression that these groups have given the Bill broad support?
(c) on what basis the Minister was given the impression that these groups have given the Bill broad support?
(b) a consultation paper was released as part of the consultation process to assist interested parties in making a submission. The paper outlined relevant background and identified issues for consideration. The paper was made available on the Department of Treasury and Finance website. The paper was also mailed to numerous organisations including the Australian Consumers Association, WACOSS, government departments and agencies (including the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection), government trading enterprises, other jurisdictions, industry associations and private sector companies. Several presentations and meetings were held upon request; (c) 26 submissions were received indicating general support for the establishment of a multi-industry economic regulator. Non-confidential submissions were posted on the Department of Treasury and Finance website. A formal response was made to all submissions. Follow-up meetings were undertaken with interested stakeholders. (2) (a) An advanced draft of the Economic Regulation Authority Bill 2002 was provided for comment to the industry and consumer associations that provided submissions as part of the public consultation process, including WACOSS. In addition, the draft Bill was provided for comment to relevant government departments and agencies, (including the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP)), government trading enterprises, several interested private sector companies, and other jurisdictions. Ongoing briefings have been provided on the Bill since its introduction, including a meeting with the Conservation Council of Western Australia and briefings for opposition parties. (b) WACOSS and the DOCEP. DOCEP has a role in promoting consumer protection and fair trading in Western Australia. WACOSS has a role in promoting the interests of disadvantaged and low income consumers, and community and consumer interests more generally; (c) through feedback as part of public consultation. For example, the DOCEP submission states 'overall the creation of the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) is supported'. WACOSS suggestion for the inclusion of 'social and environmental considerations' in legislation has been addressed through a consequential amendment to the water industry licensing regime which provides for the ERA to consider these matters as a public interest criteria. No subsequent comments on the draft ERA Bill were provided by WACOSS.
(c) 26 submissions were received indicating general support for the establishment of a multi-industry economic regulator. Non-confidential submissions were posted on the Department of Treasury and Finance website. A formal response was made to all submissions. Follow-up meetings were undertaken with interested stakeholders. (2) (a) An advanced draft of the Economic Regulation Authority Bill 2002 was provided for comment to the industry and consumer associations that provided submissions as part of the public consultation process, including WACOSS. In addition, the draft Bill was provided for comment to relevant government departments and agencies, (including the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP)), government trading enterprises, several interested private sector companies, and other jurisdictions. Ongoing briefings have been provided on the Bill since its introduction, including a meeting with the Conservation Council of Western Australia and briefings for opposition parties. (b) WACOSS and the DOCEP. DOCEP has a role in promoting consumer protection and fair trading in Western Australia. WACOSS has a role in promoting the interests of disadvantaged and low income consumers, and community and consumer interests more generally; (c) through feedback as part of public consultation. For example, the DOCEP submission states 'overall the creation of the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) is supported'. WACOSS suggestion for the inclusion of 'social and environmental considerations' in legislation has been addressed through a consequential amendment to the water industry licensing regime which provides for the ERA to consider these matters as a public interest criteria. No subsequent comments on the draft ERA Bill were provided by WACOSS.
(2) (a) An advanced draft of the Economic Regulation Authority Bill 2002 was provided for comment to the industry and consumer associations that provided submissions as part of the public consultation process, including WACOSS. In addition, the draft Bill was provided for comment to relevant government departments and agencies, (including the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP)), government trading enterprises, several interested private sector companies, and other jurisdictions. Ongoing briefings have been provided on the Bill since its introduction, including a meeting with the Conservation Council of Western Australia and briefings for opposition parties. (b) WACOSS and the DOCEP. DOCEP has a role in promoting consumer protection and fair trading in Western Australia. WACOSS has a role in promoting the interests of disadvantaged and low income consumers, and community and consumer interests more generally; (c) through feedback as part of public consultation. For example, the DOCEP submission states 'overall the creation of the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) is supported'. WACOSS suggestion for the inclusion of 'social and environmental considerations' in legislation has been addressed through a consequential amendment to the water industry licensing regime which provides for the ERA to consider these matters as a public interest criteria. No subsequent comments on the draft ERA Bill were provided by WACOSS.
(b) WACOSS and the DOCEP. DOCEP has a role in promoting consumer protection and fair trading in Western Australia. WACOSS has a role in promoting the interests of disadvantaged and low income consumers, and community and consumer interests more generally; (c) through feedback as part of public consultation. For example, the DOCEP submission states 'overall the creation of the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) is supported'. WACOSS suggestion for the inclusion of 'social and environmental considerations' in legislation has been addressed through a consequential amendment to the water industry licensing regime which provides for the ERA to consider these matters as a public interest criteria. No subsequent comments on the draft ERA Bill were provided by WACOSS.
(c) through feedback as part of public consultation. For example, the DOCEP submission states 'overall the creation of the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) is supported'. WACOSS suggestion for the inclusion of 'social and environmental considerations' in legislation has been addressed through a consequential amendment to the water industry licensing regime which provides for the ERA to consider these matters as a public interest criteria. No subsequent comments on the draft ERA Bill were provided by WACOSS.
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