Australia launch first National Consumer Protection Framework

The Australian Federal Government has confirmed the formal commitment of all State Governments to the country’s first National Consumer Protection Framework to provide greater protections for punters wagering online.

Ten minimum protections have been agreed upon and will be implemented throughout the country over the next 18 months, Federal Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, said.

“The National Framework has been developed in response to the recommendations made in the 2015 O’Farrell Review of Illegal Offshore Wagering.

“The agreement to these measures by all governments means consumers will be protected, no matter where they live in Australia.”

According to Fletcher, the Framework will apply to around 2.5 million active online wagering accounts, or about one million people in Australia.

“Most importantly, it will also apply to more than 240,000 Australians already experiencing significant harm from online wagering,” he said.

Under the National Framework, industry will be required to better inform gamblers of their wagering activity, and supply easy-to-use tools enabling better control of their gambling.

A new National Self-Exclusion Register will be implemented by The Commonwealth which will allow people to self-exclude from all online wagering sites and apps simultaneously.

“If you exclude from one, you exclude from all—this is a first in Australia,” Fletcher said.