It has been an institution across Australia since long before the First World War.  Now it is the largest franchise in Australia with more than 3,000 franchisees and licensed post offices regulated under a deficient federal Franchising Code of Conduct.

Last week the South Australian Small Business Commissioner Bill passed through the Lower House. The genius in this Bill comes from redrafting of another Bill to increase positive impact to greater stakeholder and gain that stakeholder support.

If you are a franchisee in South Australia, you will celebrate a first for Australia. The state has introduced the Small Business Commissioner Bill 2011, which will ensure broad powers to enhance protection of franchisees by stipulating that dealings are conducted fairly and in good faith.

This is not just a warning for Australian franchise investors. If you are ready to invest in a franchise brand you should consider what stage of franchise network growth your 'brand of choice' has achieved and what that might mean to any suggested financial success you have been promised.

Appearing as a witness in the Victorian Supreme Court can be embarrassing.  The former CEO of the Australian Spar franchisor probably had to reveal more information than he preferred. But that is just a preliminary issue to greater consequences going far beyond the regulation of franchising. Milk War!