Australia Reforms Its Franchise Law

Australia’s old federal parliament house in Canberra, photo/stage88

CANBERRA, Australia – Small Business Minister Craig Emerson announced on November 5 changes in Australia’s franchise law, almost a year after a joint parliamentary inquiry made recommendations for sweeping changes. The inquiry was initiated by parliament after a spat of franchisee complaints and allegations of scams hit the media circuit. Critics on one side say that Dr. Emerson largely sidestepped critical parliamentary recommendations. Other critics say that more federal regulation is not the answer.

In today’s Blue MauMau, legal experts from Australia and America weigh in on the merits and demerits of the changes that Minister Emerson announced. These experts fill today's left-hand column of the news site.

• Franchise Expert Blasts Australian Reforms by Australian franchise solicitor Simon Young
• Australia's New Franchise Amendments by U.S. attorney Rupert Barkoff
• Good Faith Needed in Australia's Franchise Laws by Prof. Liz Spencer
• Australian Code Changes Will Expose Franchise Frauds by Australian franchise expert Jason Gerhke
• Australian Government Fails Franchising by former franchisee and reporter Deanne de Leeuw

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Related Reading:

• Australia franchise section of Blue MauMau, daily franchise news from Australia
• Australian Joint Parliamentary Hearings Moves To Second Stage, by Deanne de Leeuw
• Wounded Australian Franchisees Fed Up, Aug 21, 2009
• Australian small business minister to hold 'targeted consultations' on franchising reform, Jun 2, 2009
• Jim Penman, Australia's Largest Franchisor, Says Its Time by Ray Borradale
• Australia has four government inquiries into franchising by Prof. Jenny Buchan, Nov 14, 2007
• Franchise council of Australia leaves franchisees fuming by Ray Borradale, May 28, 2009
• Australia could have stopped years of Kleenmaid's abuse of franchisees, May 28, 2009
• Midas Australia franchisees consider what next after Christmas bankruptcy, Dec 29, 2009