Media Release

A Croydon resident, who has fought for 12 years for Lemon Laws to be introduced, has been devastated to learn that the Brumby Government has scrapped the laws, after promising to deliver them at the last election.

The axing of the laws, which were designed to protect consumers from faulty motor vehicles and other major product purchases, has also sparked outrage amongst consumer groups and in the community.

Maroondah resident Helen Moss, who began her fight after a series of unsavoury incidents following the purchase of a Volkswagon in 1997, was astounded by the decision. “The Brumby government has reneged on its election commitment and handed a complete victory to rogue industries which will continue to destroy lives and livelihoods with impunity,” she said.

“Certainly this has always been the case, but now the industry knows its unsavoury behaviour is condoned by the Brumby Government, there will be no limits on the brutality of its warranty avoidance tactics.”

Kilsyth MP David Hodgett was also disappointed by the decision. “Apart from the Brumby government again backing down from an election promise, the decision not to amend the Fair Trading Act to include Lemon Laws shows an alarming unwillingness to protect Victorians when it comes to consumer affairs.

The timing is also appalling. With the current economic climate, now is the time Victorians most need to feel protected by the government, not get the cold shoulder from a thoughtless Brumby government.

The government has announced that it will be again reviewing the inclusion of any state based trading laws, pending the eventual creation of a nation-wide law.