7Functions of Commissioner

7 Functions of Commissioner (1) The functions of the Commissioner are: (a) to promote the interests of consumers, and to assist consumers to a greater awareness in relation to their assessment and use of goods and services; and (b) without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), to promote the maintenance of fair trading practices and of product safety; and (ba) to administer the Australian Consumer Law (NT); and (c) to receive complaints from consumers concerning matters touching their interests as consumers, to investigate those complaints, and to take such action in respect thereof as seems proper to the Commissioner; and (d) to receive complaints of fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or unfair practices in relation to matters which affect, or are likely to affect, the interests of consumers or of traders, and to take such action as seems proper to the Commissioner; and (e) to advise and assist consumers who seek from the Commissioner information or guidance on matters affecting their interests as consumers; and (f) to collect, collate and disseminate information in respect of matters affecting the interests of consumers; and Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Act 1990 8 (g) to encourage and undertake the dissemination of information concerning consumer affairs (and in particular, the maintenance of fair trading practices and of product safety) to producers, manufacturers, traders and suppliers of goods or (h) to carry out consumer education programs; and (j) to issue consumer guidelines to the public; and (k) to perform such other functions as are conferred on the Commissioner by or under this or any other Act. (2) The Commissioner shall: (a) keep under critical examination, and from time to time report to the Minister on, the laws in force relating to the interests of consumers; and (b) keep under review market-place trends and other matters affecting the interests of consumers and, where that appears desirable, make recommendations to the Minister with respect to responses thereto; and (c) report to the Minister on any matter that is referred to the Commissioner by the Minister as relating to the interests of consumers; and, for those purposes, may conduct research and make investigations. (5) Nothing in this section is to be construed as requiring the Commissioner, or any person under the Commissioner's direction or control, to give, or to hold him or herself out as ready or competent to give, advice to a consumer concerning the consumer's rights and liabilities in law in respect of any matter.