Mrs PADGHAM-PURICH - 1996-11-20
As minister responsible for consumer affairs, is he aware of the interfering and paternalistic exercise being mounted by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading in relation to book-up in Aboriginal communities? Can he tell me why this office is interfering in
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a perfectly normal and legal business practice carried on between a businessman and a customer?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, on the face of it, I suppose that the stand taken by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading on the book-up system could be seen to be paternalistic. Personally, I have some concerns because many Aboriginal people have their cheques cashed at Commonwealth Bank outlets. Many of those outlets, particularly at community level, are being run through agents. In some instances, those agents are being totally irresponsible in that they receive social security cheques and they allow book-up systems in their own shops. When an Aboriginal person comes to obtain money from the Commonwealth Bank, the agent takes the Commonwealth Bank deposit, subtracts the book-up amount and gives the person the remainder. I think that is wrong. It is something we need to address and I have asked for a report on it. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading is looking into the matter. From that point of view, it should not be criticised.
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a perfectly normal and legal business practice carried on between a businessman and a customer?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, on the face of it, I suppose that the stand taken by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading on the book-up system could be seen to be paternalistic. Personally, I have some concerns because many Aboriginal people have their cheques cashed at Commonwealth Bank outlets. Many of those outlets, particularly at community level, are being run through agents. In some instances, those agents are being totally irresponsible in that they receive social security cheques and they allow book-up systems in their own shops. When an Aboriginal person comes to obtain money from the Commonwealth Bank, the agent takes the Commonwealth Bank deposit, subtracts the book-up amount and gives the person the remainder. I think that is wrong. It is something we need to address and I have asked for a report on it. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading is looking into the matter. From that point of view, it should not be criticised.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016