The Federal Government has decided to streamline its functions by incorporating the Consumer Affairs portfolio with Treasury.

The move will bring Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury David Bradbury to assist Treasurer Wayne Swan on consumer issues.

Consumer Action Law Centre policy director Nicole Rich opposed the decision by describing it as “a backward step” in implementing consumer protection laws. “For 13 years we saw nothing happen without a dedicated minister... Then for three years we got some good reforms like consumer protection laws and unfair contract laws. Who's going to drive the next phase of reforms?” he said.

Christopher Zinn of the consumer group Choice supported the need for a minister on consumer affairs. However, he said, “But by the same token if that minister doesn't have the clout to bring change, it could be a hollow ask.”

Dr. Craig Emerson held the post of Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs from June 2009 to September 2010. In November 2009, the minister announced amendments to the unconscionable conduct provisions of the TPA as part of the Government’s formal response to the Senate Economics Committee inquiry into the statutory definition of unconscionable conduct.

Further changes to the provisions and the Franchising Code of Conduct were release in March 2010.