Many Christmas lights being sold don't meet Australian safety standards.
Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean says products imported from overseas are potentially deadly.
Consumers are set to save big on time and money, and have disputes with businesses resolved quicker, thanks to new Fair Trading powers.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said the Fair Trading Legislation Amendment (Consumer Guarantee Directions) Bill, granting the new powers, would be introduced into Parliament this week.
“These proposed reforms will give the NSW Fair Trading Commissioner the power to direct a business to repair, replace or refund a good,” Mr Kean said.
Instead of going through a months-long tribunal process, consumers who cannot resolve complaints about items worth less than $3000 will soon be able to take their issue straight to the NSW Fair Trading Commissioner.
A bill being introduced to Parliament on Wednesday will give the commissioner powers to direct businesses to repair, refund or replace goods, the NSW Minister for Better Regulation, Matt Kean, said.
Disgruntled customers will soon have their complaints dealt with by the NSW Fair Trading rather than the tribunal.
NSW Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, Matt Kean, told WSFM the legislation will be introduced to Parliament this week.
The increasing popularity of cosmetic services as well as recent complaints to Fair Trading about poor quality beauticians has prompted a new Fair Trading education campaign.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said Fair Trading received 287 complaints about beauty services in 2017 alone, with almost half relating to defective or unsatisfactory services.
“It’s not good enough when shady beauticians perform botched procedures on people, who think they are being treated by reputable operators,” Mr Kean said.
Grieving families are increasingly being taken advantage of when planning a funeral, with the number of complaints to NSW Fair Trading jumping to record levels.
It prompted a warning from Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean, who said consumers should know their rights when choosing a funeral package, to avoid dodgy operators who don’t properly disclose fees and charges.
“Losing a loved one is a heartbreaking and stressful experience. It’s possibly one of the hardest challenges a person can face,” Mr Kean said.
Complaints about funeral planning services are at unprecedented levels, NSW Fair Trading numbers suggest.
NSW Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean has warned grieving families to avoid dodgy operators who don't properly disclose fees and charges, reminding people that the companies must provide an itemised quote of the goods and services to be provided.
Fair Trading received 175 complaints about funeral services between January 2013 and July 2018, with 2017 recording the highest amount so far with 37 complaints.
Mobile phone and electronics retailers have been given a big thumbs down from consumers, claiming the top four spots on the latest NSW Fair Trading Complaints Register.
Samsung Electronics topped the list with 42 complaints, while Kogan (35 complaints), Apple (33), and Android Enjoyed (26), rounded out the top four.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said the register helps consumers get the best bang for their buck by giving them the information they need to make more informed choices on where to spend their hard-earned cash.
A real estate agent in Sydney’s Inner West has pleaded guilty to dishonestly claiming more than $210,000 from the NSW Rental Bond Board.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said Matthew Thomas Williams, 36, was sentenced in the Parramatta Local Court to two 15 month jail terms, for dishonestly claiming the refund of 42 rental bonds.
The jail terms were suspended on the condition that Williams enter a good behaviour bond. He was also disqualified from holding a real estate licence for a period of 10 years.
Three Sydney children have become ill after using an eyeliner almost entirely made of lead.
The Hashmi Kohl branded product was 84 per cent lead and also contained high levels of dangerous metals including arsenic, cadmium, chromium and mercury, NSW Better Regulation Minister Matt Kean said on Tuesday.
"Some of the product packaging even specifically states that no lead is present, which is a total disgrace," Mr Kean said in a statement.
After being elected as Member for Hornsby in March 2011, I have embarked on many initiatives that the community and I see as pivotal issues for Hornsby. I see and understand the needs of the community and am proud to play my part.
