Queenslanders received more than $8.4 million in refunds, repairs, replacements and other compensation with the help of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in 2018.
Attorney-General and Justice Minister Yvette D’Ath said the number of complaints saw a small increase to OFT from 15,700 in 2017 to 16,000.
"While it is disappointing that so many Queenslanders have found themselves dudded – whether it is by accident or otherwise – I’m pleased people are aware of their rights and are seeking help from the OFT," she said.
"Unfortunately, the sector that generated the most complaints to the OFT was the personal and household goods industry, which includes products such as televisions, appliances and furniture. It was followed by personal and household services, then motor vehicle sales.
"Under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), consumer goods must be of acceptable quality, match the description provided by the seller, and be fit for their intended purpose."
Mrs D’Ath said while the ACL did provide a measure of protection, it was time for the Federal LNP Government to ramp up protection for Queenslanders when it came to areas such as:
- providing purchasers of ‘lemon’ motor vehicles an automatic right to a refund or replacement within the first 30 days without needing to prove a major failure;
- banning fees for paper bills; and
- taking serious action against ticket scalpers.
"While the Palaszczuk Government is delivering important protection for Queenslanders who have bought a ‘lemon’, the Federal LNP Government also needs to take their foot off the brake, get into gear and do the same."
Mrs D’Ath said consumer protection legislation gave the OFT the power to pursue some matters all the way to court, but the OFT could not make a judgment or order on consumer complaints - only a tribunal or court had the power to do this.
"In these cases, the OFT undertakes a conciliation process – a free informal service where OFT officers act as an intermediary between the consumer and the trader, explaining to both what their rights and responsibilities are under the legislation," she said.
"Conciliation won back more than $5 million in redress for complainants in 2018, with results ranging from a $40,800 refund for a car for a consumer in Brisbane’s Bracken Ridge, to $1800 worth of replacement equipment for a Sunshine Coast DJ."
The OFT also achieved more than $1.5 million in court-ordered compensation for consumers in 2018. The remaining redress was achieved through other OFT outcomes including Enforceable Undertakings and claims against the Agents Financial Administration Act 2014.
Mrs D’Ath said the first thing consumers should do if they had a problem with goods or services was talk to the trader directly.
"Usually, customer satisfaction is very important to businesses, and most will be happy to work with you to resolve your complaint," she said.
"However, if you are unsuccessful in getting the trader to help you, you can lodge a formal complaint with the OFT."
