Minister for innovation and better regulation

1 The single most important issue confronting us as a nation, longterm, is the population explosion. Back in the late 1990s the Australian Bureau of Statistics predicted we wouldn’t reach 25 million people until 2050. We got there this week over three decades earlier than expected. The driving force behind this dramatic increase is immigration. We’re a nation that’s built on immigrants and always will be the case but the brakes must be applied for a period of time while we take stock. We don’t have the resources nor the infrastructure to deal with this dramatic increase.

Minister Kean speaks to Ray Hadley about the Plumbing Detectives.

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.

The NSW government will introduce new laws that will give the Fair Trading Commissioner the power to force businesses to repair, replace or refund goods.

Businesses in NSW that refuse to repair, replace or refund the cost of goods could soon be forced to under proposed new laws.

The state government will this week introduce legislation to give the NSW Fair Trading Commissioner greater powers to help resolve disputes between businesses and customers over items worth between $25 and $3000.

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.

SafeWork NSW has launched a virtual reality training program designed to highlight risks around using quad bikes on the farm. The program will be debuted at the AgQuip Primary Industry Field Days at Gunnedah.

Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean told ABC Newcastle the dangers can't be underestimated.

The NSW government is proposing a website for consumers to check if tradies have been given any penalty notices or prosecutions.

NSW residents could soon be able to check the credentials of tradies on a website if a state government proposal is approved.

Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said the portal "would give consumers a one-stop-shop for data held on traders and licensees, including penalty notices and prosecutions".

The NSW government has posted the proposal online at the Fair Trading website and is looking for community feedback.