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Consumer Affairs
INTRODUCTION
Key elements of a developed economy include the quality assurance of the goods and services sold and the fairness of the rules and regulations regarding market activities. This requires ongoing vigilance from government regulators as it fills this role as a neutral 'referee' acting in the best interests of all consumers.
PLANS
New Zealand First will:
ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the Consumers' Institute in filling its role as a consumer watchdog;
expand the role of Consumer Affairs in product safety and ensure that there are adequate powers to enforce the withdrawal of unsafe products from sale;
increase the monitoring of imported foods, with particular focus on rules of origin labelling;
legislate for clear labelling of all genetically modified food (GMF) products;
improve support of consumer education, budgetary and citizens advisory, and retirement planning services, including the establishment of a register of approved financial planners;
conduct an enquiry into the electricity industry to overcome consumer problems and ensure that Energy Efficiency measures are encompassed by the wider energy policies of Government;
bring under the purview of Consumer Affairs the fees structures applying in the banking and finance sector, and ensure they are regularly monitored and publicised;
provide the resources to the Commerce Commission to protect New Zealanders from monopoly pricing and anti-competitive behaviour in communications, energy, transport, and other key industries, and ensure they can regulate where necessary; and,
promote a 'Buy New Zealand First' campaign aimed at reducing imports.
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