❓ A parliamentary question scrutinizes the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection's media release regarding advertising material, questioning its accuracy, justification, and potential misrepresentation of the Commissioner's statements. The department defends its actions, stating the release aimed to warn consumers about providing personal details to internet promotions.
AnsweredQoN 1679Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(b) if not, why did the media statement raise the fact that photocopying legal tender can be a crime under Federal law when the department knew that, in fact, this particular advertising material was legal; (c) does this advertising material specifically promise financial freedom to any recipient, as indicated in the departments’ media release; (d) if not, why did the media statement indicate that it did; (e) why did the department issue this media statement focussing on this particular advertising material without first contacting the proprietors of the business responsible for it; (f) at the time of issue of the media statement had the Department received complaints about this advertising material specifically and if so, how many and were any complaints substantiated; (g) was the business responsible for this advertising material under investigation by the department in relation to this advertising material at the time the media statement was issued by the department; (h) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, why did the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection allow himself to be reported as saying in The West Australian newspaper on 11 January 2003 that this advertising material was ‘illegal and misleading’; and (i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
(c) does this advertising material specifically promise financial freedom to any recipient, as indicated in the departments’ media release; (d) if not, why did the media statement indicate that it did; (e) why did the department issue this media statement focussing on this particular advertising material without first contacting the proprietors of the business responsible for it; (f) at the time of issue of the media statement had the Department received complaints about this advertising material specifically and if so, how many and were any complaints substantiated; (g) was the business responsible for this advertising material under investigation by the department in relation to this advertising material at the time the media statement was issued by the department; (h) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, why did the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection allow himself to be reported as saying in The West Australian newspaper on 11 January 2003 that this advertising material was ‘illegal and misleading’; and (i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
(d) if not, why did the media statement indicate that it did; (e) why did the department issue this media statement focussing on this particular advertising material without first contacting the proprietors of the business responsible for it; (f) at the time of issue of the media statement had the Department received complaints about this advertising material specifically and if so, how many and were any complaints substantiated; (g) was the business responsible for this advertising material under investigation by the department in relation to this advertising material at the time the media statement was issued by the department; (h) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, why did the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection allow himself to be reported as saying in The West Australian newspaper on 11 January 2003 that this advertising material was ‘illegal and misleading’; and (i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
(e) why did the department issue this media statement focussing on this particular advertising material without first contacting the proprietors of the business responsible for it; (f) at the time of issue of the media statement had the Department received complaints about this advertising material specifically and if so, how many and were any complaints substantiated; (g) was the business responsible for this advertising material under investigation by the department in relation to this advertising material at the time the media statement was issued by the department; (h) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, why did the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection allow himself to be reported as saying in The West Australian newspaper on 11 January 2003 that this advertising material was ‘illegal and misleading’; and (i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
(f) at the time of issue of the media statement had the Department received complaints about this advertising material specifically and if so, how many and were any complaints substantiated; (g) was the business responsible for this advertising material under investigation by the department in relation to this advertising material at the time the media statement was issued by the department; (h) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, why did the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection allow himself to be reported as saying in The West Australian newspaper on 11 January 2003 that this advertising material was ‘illegal and misleading’; and (i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
(g) was the business responsible for this advertising material under investigation by the department in relation to this advertising material at the time the media statement was issued by the department; (h) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, why did the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection allow himself to be reported as saying in The West Australian newspaper on 11 January 2003 that this advertising material was ‘illegal and misleading’; and (i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
(h) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, why did the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection allow himself to be reported as saying in The West Australian newspaper on 11 January 2003 that this advertising material was ‘illegal and misleading’; and (i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
(i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
b) Whereas the Department’s Media Release gave advice on the photocopying of legal tender, the main thrust of the media release was to warn consumers about the dangers of providing personal details to internet promotions without first finding out the nature of the business operations. c) The advertising material contained a reference to a website which included a presentation about financial freedom. d) See c) above. e) The information in the Department’s advice and warning did not require confirmation from the promoter of the business. f) The Department was not acting on a complaint at that time. The advertising material was being handed out to the public in the Perth central business district and had come to the attention of Departmental officers. g) No. h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”. i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
c) The advertising material contained a reference to a website which included a presentation about financial freedom. d) See c) above. e) The information in the Department’s advice and warning did not require confirmation from the promoter of the business. f) The Department was not acting on a complaint at that time. The advertising material was being handed out to the public in the Perth central business district and had come to the attention of Departmental officers. g) No. h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”. i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
d) See c) above. e) The information in the Department’s advice and warning did not require confirmation from the promoter of the business. f) The Department was not acting on a complaint at that time. The advertising material was being handed out to the public in the Perth central business district and had come to the attention of Departmental officers. g) No. h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”. i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
e) The information in the Department’s advice and warning did not require confirmation from the promoter of the business. f) The Department was not acting on a complaint at that time. The advertising material was being handed out to the public in the Perth central business district and had come to the attention of Departmental officers. g) No. h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”. i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
f) The Department was not acting on a complaint at that time. The advertising material was being handed out to the public in the Perth central business district and had come to the attention of Departmental officers. g) No. h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”. i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
g) No. h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”. i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”. i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
(c) does this advertising material specifically promise financial freedom to any recipient, as indicated in the departments’ media release; (d) if not, why did the media statement indicate that it did; (e) why did the department issue this media statement focussing on this particular advertising material without first contacting the proprietors of the business responsible for it; (f) at the time of issue of the media statement had the Department received complaints about this advertising material specifically and if so, how many and were any complaints substantiated; (g) was the business responsible for this advertising material under investigation by the department in relation to this advertising material at the time the media statement was issued by the department; (h) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, why did the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection allow himself to be reported as saying in The West Australian newspaper on 11 January 2003 that this advertising material was ‘illegal and misleading’; and (i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
(d) if not, why did the media statement indicate that it did; (e) why did the department issue this media statement focussing on this particular advertising material without first contacting the proprietors of the business responsible for it; (f) at the time of issue of the media statement had the Department received complaints about this advertising material specifically and if so, how many and were any complaints substantiated; (g) was the business responsible for this advertising material under investigation by the department in relation to this advertising material at the time the media statement was issued by the department; (h) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, why did the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection allow himself to be reported as saying in The West Australian newspaper on 11 January 2003 that this advertising material was ‘illegal and misleading’; and (i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
(e) why did the department issue this media statement focussing on this particular advertising material without first contacting the proprietors of the business responsible for it; (f) at the time of issue of the media statement had the Department received complaints about this advertising material specifically and if so, how many and were any complaints substantiated; (g) was the business responsible for this advertising material under investigation by the department in relation to this advertising material at the time the media statement was issued by the department; (h) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, why did the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection allow himself to be reported as saying in The West Australian newspaper on 11 January 2003 that this advertising material was ‘illegal and misleading’; and (i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
(f) at the time of issue of the media statement had the Department received complaints about this advertising material specifically and if so, how many and were any complaints substantiated; (g) was the business responsible for this advertising material under investigation by the department in relation to this advertising material at the time the media statement was issued by the department; (h) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, why did the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection allow himself to be reported as saying in The West Australian newspaper on 11 January 2003 that this advertising material was ‘illegal and misleading’; and (i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
(g) was the business responsible for this advertising material under investigation by the department in relation to this advertising material at the time the media statement was issued by the department; (h) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, why did the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection allow himself to be reported as saying in The West Australian newspaper on 11 January 2003 that this advertising material was ‘illegal and misleading’; and (i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
(h) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, why did the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection allow himself to be reported as saying in The West Australian newspaper on 11 January 2003 that this advertising material was ‘illegal and misleading’; and (i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
(i) if this advertising material was legal, was not the subject of investigation and was not the subject of substantiated complaints, will the Minister direct the Department to issue a retraction of the statement attributed to the Commissioner for Consumer and Employment Protection and a formal apology?
b) Whereas the Department’s Media Release gave advice on the photocopying of legal tender, the main thrust of the media release was to warn consumers about the dangers of providing personal details to internet promotions without first finding out the nature of the business operations. c) The advertising material contained a reference to a website which included a presentation about financial freedom. d) See c) above. e) The information in the Department’s advice and warning did not require confirmation from the promoter of the business. f) The Department was not acting on a complaint at that time. The advertising material was being handed out to the public in the Perth central business district and had come to the attention of Departmental officers. g) No. h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”. i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
c) The advertising material contained a reference to a website which included a presentation about financial freedom. d) See c) above. e) The information in the Department’s advice and warning did not require confirmation from the promoter of the business. f) The Department was not acting on a complaint at that time. The advertising material was being handed out to the public in the Perth central business district and had come to the attention of Departmental officers. g) No. h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”. i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
d) See c) above. e) The information in the Department’s advice and warning did not require confirmation from the promoter of the business. f) The Department was not acting on a complaint at that time. The advertising material was being handed out to the public in the Perth central business district and had come to the attention of Departmental officers. g) No. h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”. i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
e) The information in the Department’s advice and warning did not require confirmation from the promoter of the business. f) The Department was not acting on a complaint at that time. The advertising material was being handed out to the public in the Perth central business district and had come to the attention of Departmental officers. g) No. h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”. i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
f) The Department was not acting on a complaint at that time. The advertising material was being handed out to the public in the Perth central business district and had come to the attention of Departmental officers. g) No. h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”. i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
g) No. h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”. i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”. i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 June 2003
Responded by
Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection
Response time
7 days
a) The Department made no specific comment in its Media Release dated 6 January 2003 regarding the legality of the advertising material which incorporated a photocopy of a $50 note.
b) Whereas the Department’s Media Release gave advice on the photocopying of legal tender, the main thrust of the media release was to warn consumers about the dangers of providing personal details to internet promotions without first finding out the nature of the business operations.
c) The advertising material contained a reference to a website which included a presentation about financial freedom.
d) See c) above.
e) The information in the Department’s advice and warning did not require confirmation from the promoter of the business.
f) The Department was not acting on a complaint at that time. The advertising material was being handed out to the public in the Perth central business district and had come to the attention of Departmental officers.
g) No.
h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”.
i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
b) Whereas the Department’s Media Release gave advice on the photocopying of legal tender, the main thrust of the media release was to warn consumers about the dangers of providing personal details to internet promotions without first finding out the nature of the business operations.
c) The advertising material contained a reference to a website which included a presentation about financial freedom.
d) See c) above.
e) The information in the Department’s advice and warning did not require confirmation from the promoter of the business.
f) The Department was not acting on a complaint at that time. The advertising material was being handed out to the public in the Perth central business district and had come to the attention of Departmental officers.
g) No.
h) The Department offered no comment to the The West Australian Newspaper about the advertising material being “illegal and misleading”.
i) The Department believes it was appropriate to issue the advice and the warning to consumers in their Media Release dated 6 January 2003. The Department has had opportunity to review its actions and stands by its original decision to issue the advice and the warning to consumers.
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