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Loan Sharks: Ministry of Consumer Affairs Responds

The General Manager of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has written to Scoop stating that while its report into loan sharks exploiting Pacific Islands communities in south Auckland will not be released as planned at the end of April, it has not been shelved.

Liz MacPherson stated: "...on considering the report, the Ministry reached the conclusion that it needed more time to take full account of the issues raised and look at appropriate responses. The formal release of the research has therefore been postponed in order for this to occur."

Ms MacPherson's letter follows...

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Dear Mr Manning

I noted your item on Scoop earlier today suggesting that the research into the experiences and behaviours of Pacific consumers in the South Auckland credit market has been shelved. As the General Manager of the organisation responsible for commissioning this research I can assure you that it has not. The Ministry simply needs more time to consider and respond to the issues raised.

This research was undertaken as part of our monitoring of the effectiveness of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act which became law two years ago. The Ministry received the final research report in early April. As part of earlier planning it was anticipated that the report would be released in late April. However, on considering the report, the Ministry reached the conclusion that it needed more time to take full account of the issues raised and look at appropriate responses. The formal release of the research has therefore been postponed in order for this to occur.

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When completed, the Ministry will be briefing the Pacific community and those organisations that participated in the research and will make the report available to stakeholders and the public.

Liz MacPherson
Deputy Secretary, Effective Markets Branch
Ministry of Economic Development &
General Manager, Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

Consumer Affairs Ministry Letter Ends

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For reference:

Scoop Report: Loan Sharks And Credit Shysters - Govt Shelves Report

UPDATED 1pm - Scoop Report by Selwyn Manning - A long-awaited Government commissioned report that examined loan-sharks and lending shysters who prey on low socio-economic communities has been put on hold - almost on the eve of it being publicly launched by two Labour ministers. Scoop has issued an Official Information Act request seeking answers. See... Govt Commissioned Report Into Loan Sharks Shelved
KiwiFM Audio: A major government commissioned report examining loan-sharks preying on needy Pacific Islands families has been shelved. KiwiFM's Wallace Chapman and Scoop's Selwyn Manning discuss this issue.
ALSO:KiwiFM Audio: Wallace Chapman asks Prime Minister Helen Clark about the government commissioned report into loan sharks. The PM didn't know about the proposed launch.

ENDS

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