Fed: Consumer laws not keeping pace with technology: ALP

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-1999
Fed: Consumer laws not keeping pace with technology: ALP

The Federal Opposition has called for an urgent review of consumer protection laws,
claiming that current laws are outdated.

Opposition consumer affairs spokesman LINDSAY TANNER says the current laws are badly
out of date and unable to cope with the modern information economy.

The call follows revelations that media magnate KERRY PACKER is moving to set up a
giant data base containing information on up to 15 million Australians.

The opposition says should it form government, there would be a full audit of consumer
protection laws, bringing them up to date with new technologies like the Internet and
explosion in mobile phones.

Mr TANNER says a Labor government would also investigate whether the Trade Practice
Act needed to be strengthened.

AAP RTV ss/mfh/tso/jn

KEYWORD: CONSUMER (CANBERRA)

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