Following a Productivity Commission review of Australia's consumer policy framework, all Australian governments agreed to a new consumer policy framework, comprising a single national consumer law and streamlined enforcement arrangements. An Australian Consumer Law will significantly enhance consumer protection, reduce regulatory complexity for businesses and encourage the development of a seamless national economy. Greater enforcement cooperation will mean that consumers will benefit from these laws through consistent national approaches to consumer problems.

The purpose of this consultation paper is to:

• explain how the national consumer law will be developed;

• explain the nature and scope of COAG’s agreed reforms to create the national consumer law and, in some limited circumstances, seek views on specific aspects of those reforms; and

• seek views and explore options for augmentations and modifications to existing generic consumer protections which are based on best practice in existing state and territory laws.