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The Economics and Industry Standing Committee for Western Australia is calling for submissions to consideration of the proposed WA Franchise Bill with a closing date of 24 January 2011. Submissions to the SA Inquiry close 21 January 2011.
The South Australian Economic and Finance Committee is taking submissions on how 2010 changes to the Franchising Code of Conduct addressed recommendations made by the 2008 SA Inquiry into franchising.
South Australian inquiries should be directed to Dr Paul Lobban, the Committee’s Executive Officer, or email EFC.Assembly@parliament.sa.gov.au
The WA Committee is to review the impact of that states' Franchising Bill and report to Parliament by 26 May 2011.
Franchisee stakeholders and advocates are urged to make a submission.
Peter Abetz, who tabled the private member’s bill in October was co-opted to the Committee of Dr Michael (Mike) Dennis Nahan, Mr William (Bill) Joseph Johnston, Mr Michael (Mick) Philip Murray, Mrs Liza Mary Harvey and Mr John Edwin McGrath.
The Committee will consider whether the passage of this bill, in its current form, would:
(a) be directly inconsistent with the Trade Practices Act 1974 and the Franchising Code of
Conduct, with particular reference to the inclusion of provisions for:
i. the requirement to “act in good faith”;
ii. civil monetary penalties;
iii. injunctions;
iv. redress orders; and
v. damages;
(b) enhance the purpose of the Franchising Code of Conduct, which is to regulate the conduct of participants toward each other; and
(c) result in a cost impact on the State or participants in franchising.
The Franchise Council of Australia while discredited in WA recently continues to use its financial influence to block any change to franchise legislation anywhere in Australia.
FCA’s objections are contrary to the findings from 3 Franchising Inquiries where 3 state governments so far refuse to ignore the need to address the growth in rogue franchising behaviours and their consequences to mom and dad operators and franchisee investor confidence.
WA Bill Explanatory Memorandum
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Jo Gash Slams Franchise Gag Orders
Public Profile
Over forty years experience in Small Business and more than twenty-five years in franchising operations as a franchisee and employed by three franchisors, mostly in operations.
I have dedicated more than ten years and over 15,000 hours in the pursuit of quality franchising and exposing franchisor abuse of franchisees while advocating for the introduction of franchise relationship Law and the levelling of the dispute processes between bigger business and small business.
Contact: rayborradale@yahoo.com.au
Area of Interest
Franchise Operations