The Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs (MCCA) is responsible for the implementation of the National Indigenous Consumer Strategy – Action Plan 2005-2010, ‘Taking Action, Gaining Trust’. The Strategy is an important initiative that recognises the need for change in the way consumer agencies go about their business with Indigenous consumers. The strategy provides a framework for agencies to share information and education materials, to collaborate in the enforcement of consumer rights and to co-ordinate research and policy development.

The strategy was launched in Canberra on 1 September 2005. With other state, territory and Commonwealth consumer agencies, the NSW Office of Fair Trading is committed to working co-operatively on the issues and actions identified in the plan. These actions are in the following areas:

• employment of Indigenous staff
• advocacy of Indigenous consumer's interests
• housing
• financial management and banking
• motor vehicles and boats
• trading practices
• arts industry
• managing Indigenous community organisations.

The strategy involves a system of annual reporting by individual agencies and consultation with a reference group, which includes Indigenous non-government representatives and a representative from NSW Office of Fair Trading.

The mid-term report for the strategy has recently been approved by MCCA.

National Indigenous Consumer Strategy website – www.nics.org.au

National Indigenous Consumer Strategy – Action Plan 2005-2010  (WA Department of Consumer and Employment Protection website)