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Minister signs agreement with Blackett community
Jenny Ebsworth, Minister_ Stuart Ayres, Nicole Robertson (Marrin Weejali), CEO Tony Hunter. Image supplied
supplied by office of Minister for fair Trading 18 April 2014
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air Trading Minister Stuart Ayres signed a partnership agreement with the Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation in Blackett this week to promote consumer rights issues within the local Indigenous community. Mr Ayres said the Fair Go Partnership Program will establish a long-term relationship between Fair Trading, the local Aboriginal community and the media, to increase awareness of and education about consumer rights and responsibilities. “Tenancy, motor vehicles, door to door sales and rights and responsibilities under the Australian Consumer Law continue to be
the main areas of concern when it comes to Aboriginal communities understanding their rights,” Mr Ayres said. “This Fair Go Partnership Program will establish a joint commitment between Fair Trading and community members to ensure information and education is delivered in a meaningful and culturally appropriate way.” The agreement with the Marrin Weejali community is the fifth Fair Go partnership signed with the NSW Government since 2008. Agreements with the Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service in Kempsey, the GuumaLi (Salvation Army) in Moree, Centacare in Forbes and Ngaimpe Aboriginal Corporation (The Glen Centre) on the Central Coast are already in place.
Mr Ayres said the partnerships were based on mutual respect and consultation with and participation of the Aboriginal community in setting goals and directions for increasing consumer awareness. “The agreement calls on the goodwill of both parties to provide support, resources and services for the betterment of the Aboriginal community,” he said. “Through careful consultation and the targeting of resources we expect to develop innovative solutions to deliver education about consumer rights issues to the Aboriginal community in an equitable way. “At the same time Fair Trading knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal history, culture and contemporary issues will be enhanced through the partnership.”
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