Consumer Law Reform Bill Finally Passes

After a long gestation reform of consumer regulation has passed into law.

After getting its second reading a year ago the Consumer Law Reform Bill split into six bills passed its third reading on a voice vote.

The bill kept falling victim to other higher priority bills taking precedence and in the end it was the subject of a lobby campaign urging the Government to pass its own legislation.

In the third reading debate, Michael Woodhouse on behalf of Consumer Affairs Minister Craig Foss said the reforms of consumer legislation had unanimous support in the House as it was a timely and effective modernisation of consumer law.

The new law would drive better conduct, better competition and better interactions between businesses and consumer.

The original law had become outdated as it had not envisaged changes in technology, it would also require businesses to prove claims they made for products were true and would improve the clarity of guarantees.

Labour’s Carol Beaumont said the slow progress of the bill showed consumers were not a priority for the Government.

The bill completed its third reading on a voice vote.

MPs began the committee stage debate on the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Bill.

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