Helping business gear up for a bumper Christmas season

Under the Hodgman Liberal Government, retail turnover is growing on the back of record levels of employment, a booming building industry, and an influx of tourists.

Recent figures showed retail turnover in October was the second highest in the nation, while we have experienced growth of 5.7 per cent since the election.

Our Buy Local campaign and a renewed sense of optimism in the Tasmanian community is helping to build momentum as we approach Christmas, traditionally the busiest part of the year for many retailers.
This is also an important time for ensuring retailers and consumers are aware of their rights and obligations under Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

That’s why I am pleased today to announce a new engagement program by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading, which will focus on small businesses.

We know the overwhelming majority of Tasmanian retailers, such as Hobart’s Bombardieri Jewellers, who I was pleased to visit today, are committed to giving the very best service to their customers.

Most problems are the result of misunderstandings or a lack of awareness, which is what Consumers Affairs aims to address.

As part of this program, fact sheets and materials on the ACL, primarily targeted for the small business community, have been developed and are being distributed across the State.

Consumer Affairs officers are making targeted visits to commercial shopping hubs to distribute the materials and to talk to small business operators.

The idea is to ensure small businesses are not only better informed of the law, but also to establish an open line of communication for advice.

Tasmania’s small business community has an excellent reputation and we want to build on that so that consumers – locals and visitors alike – can be confident about their shopping experience.
Vanessa Goodwin, Attorney-General