Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

usage for children through to adulthood, with the aim of incorporating financial
literacy programmes from primary school levels onwards.
Updating consumer law
Changing modes of selling and changing markets mean we need to constantly review and
update legislation. A current example is the implications of the growth in online selling
through sites like Trade Me.
Broadly speaking, we will address the recommendations of the Consumer Law Review and
use those to develop updated, principles-based legislation that enhances consumer
protection. As mentioned above, Labour will complete the review of the Credit Contracts
and Consumer Finance Act and introduce legislation to implement the review‟s findings.
Labour is also committed to sufficiently resourcing agencies that have responsibility for
monitoring compliance with consumer laws, so that breaches of the laws can be quickly
identified and enforcement action taken where necessary.
Labour will actively monitor matters raised through Citizen Advice Bureaux,
Budgeting Services and Disputes Tribunals to identify areas requiring change.
Labour will review and close the consumer protection loopholes in the law relating to
the sale of second-hand goods.
Supporting ethical consumers & improving product safety
There is a growing desire among New Zealand consumers to make purchases that
encourage ethical and environmentally-sustainable producers. This is a positive
development and needs to be supported by ensuring consumers have accurate and useful
information about products, e.g. their origin, contents, production process, and any relevant
health or safety issues.
Many of our major trading partners have mandatory „country of origin‟ labelling on imported
food, including Australia‟s Competition and Consumer Act. We note, too, that a number of
retailers are voluntarily providing such labelling on fresh foods.
Labour will consider how to improve consumer access to country of origin
information, especially in relation to food.
Labour will encourage increased availability of environmental sustainability ratings for
consumer products.
Labour will expand the range of information on consumer rights and campaigns
through a range of agencies and online.
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