❓ Question regarding consumer protection issues within the health and fitness club industry, specifically concerning direct debit cancellations and the need for a code of practice. The Minister acknowledges the issues and outlines actions being taken to address them, including developing a new code of conduct.
AnsweredQoN 265Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
As to the conduct of the health and fitness club industry in Western Australia, and recent media coverage of consumers’ concerns - Mr Graham interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: That was uncalled for. Mr Speaker, inside this stainless steel facade is a heart of gold. The SPEAKER: That was an unparliamentary comment, I would have thought! Mr MARLBOROUGH: Will the minister explain what action the Government is taking, particularly with regard to - (1) the difficulty that some health club consumers have in cancelling direct debit and credit card authorisations; and (2) the need for some form of code of practice to apply to health and fitness club providers? Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
Mr Graham interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: That was uncalled for. Mr Speaker, inside this stainless steel facade is a heart of gold. The SPEAKER: That was an unparliamentary comment, I would have thought! Mr MARLBOROUGH: Will the minister explain what action the Government is taking, particularly with regard to - (1) the difficulty that some health club consumers have in cancelling direct debit and credit card authorisations; and (2) the need for some form of code of practice to apply to health and fitness club providers? Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
Mr MARLBOROUGH: That was uncalled for. Mr Speaker, inside this stainless steel facade is a heart of gold. The SPEAKER: That was an unparliamentary comment, I would have thought! Mr MARLBOROUGH: Will the minister explain what action the Government is taking, particularly with regard to - (1) the difficulty that some health club consumers have in cancelling direct debit and credit card authorisations; and (2) the need for some form of code of practice to apply to health and fitness club providers? Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
The SPEAKER: That was an unparliamentary comment, I would have thought! Mr MARLBOROUGH: Will the minister explain what action the Government is taking, particularly with regard to - (1) the difficulty that some health club consumers have in cancelling direct debit and credit card authorisations; and (2) the need for some form of code of practice to apply to health and fitness club providers? Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
Mr MARLBOROUGH: Will the minister explain what action the Government is taking, particularly with regard to - (1) the difficulty that some health club consumers have in cancelling direct debit and credit card authorisations; and (2) the need for some form of code of practice to apply to health and fitness club providers? Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
(1) the difficulty that some health club consumers have in cancelling direct debit and credit card authorisations; and (2) the need for some form of code of practice to apply to health and fitness club providers? Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
(2) the need for some form of code of practice to apply to health and fitness club providers? Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
Mr Graham interjected. Mr MARLBOROUGH: That was uncalled for. Mr Speaker, inside this stainless steel facade is a heart of gold. The SPEAKER: That was an unparliamentary comment, I would have thought! Mr MARLBOROUGH: Will the minister explain what action the Government is taking, particularly with regard to - (1) the difficulty that some health club consumers have in cancelling direct debit and credit card authorisations; and (2) the need for some form of code of practice to apply to health and fitness club providers? Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
Mr MARLBOROUGH: That was uncalled for. Mr Speaker, inside this stainless steel facade is a heart of gold. The SPEAKER: That was an unparliamentary comment, I would have thought! Mr MARLBOROUGH: Will the minister explain what action the Government is taking, particularly with regard to - (1) the difficulty that some health club consumers have in cancelling direct debit and credit card authorisations; and (2) the need for some form of code of practice to apply to health and fitness club providers? Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
The SPEAKER: That was an unparliamentary comment, I would have thought! Mr MARLBOROUGH: Will the minister explain what action the Government is taking, particularly with regard to - (1) the difficulty that some health club consumers have in cancelling direct debit and credit card authorisations; and (2) the need for some form of code of practice to apply to health and fitness club providers? Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
Mr MARLBOROUGH: Will the minister explain what action the Government is taking, particularly with regard to - (1) the difficulty that some health club consumers have in cancelling direct debit and credit card authorisations; and (2) the need for some form of code of practice to apply to health and fitness club providers? Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
(1) the difficulty that some health club consumers have in cancelling direct debit and credit card authorisations; and (2) the need for some form of code of practice to apply to health and fitness club providers? Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
(2) the need for some form of code of practice to apply to health and fitness club providers? Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
Before the member for Pilbara jumps in, some of my colleagues did suggest that they should be like me and stay away from these health and fitness clubs. Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
Like the member for Peel, some constituents have come to me having run into difficulties when they have used credit cards to pay bills. They have found that money has continued to be deducted from their account after a time when they thought they had fulfilled their obligation or they had ceased to use the particular service for which they had contracted. There are two issues here: we have the problem of how those credit cards are managed and how the credit is handled. Many complaints are made to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection relating particularly to the health industry and the telecommunications industry, and to a lesser extent from people who use introduction agencies. Many people find that payments continue to be taken from their accounts. The Australian Payments Clearance Association is reviewing its procedures to try to improve in this area, but unfortunately that review does not take account of people using credit cards to pay bills. We need to work with the Commonwealth and with the banks. We have made submissions to the Banking Ombudsman to draw his attention to these problems so that we can get greater protection for people who use their credit cards to pay accounts by instalments. Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
Turning to the issue of the code of conduct for the health and fitness industry, we would all remember the problems people got into with Laurie Potter some years ago and with others to whom they gave money up-front using credit cards and, when the particular service collapsed, were left to pay their bills without receiving what they had paid for. The then Government put in place a code of conduct. The previous Government, after being elected in 1993, scrapped that code on the basis that there was not a need for it because there were no complaints. We now find there are a growing number of complaints in this industry. On that basis the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is working with Fitness WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a new code. This new code will set out to ensure that there is a mechanism to address complaints when they are made and that consumers have redress if their contracts are cancelled. It will look at the terms of contract for a service from a health or fitness club. Unfortunately, there is an increase in complaints at this time. We believe that the development of a code will provide greater protection for consumers in this area.
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