On 22 March 2018, the Senate referred an inquiry into the operation and effectiveness of the Franchising Code of Conduct to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services for report by 30 September 2018.
The committee welcomes individual stories that may identify widespread issues and recommendations for reform. The committee's powers allow it to report to Parliament with recommendations for changes to legislation, regulation and government policy. The committee is not able to investigate or resolve individual disputes.
If you do wish to inform the committee about a franchising dispute, please identify in your submission whether your dispute has been or may be considered by:
- any of the following bodies or a mediation adviser appointed or referred by:
- the Office of the Franchising Mediation Adviser; or
- the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman; or
- a local, state or territory Small Business Commissioner; or
- the Dispute Resolution Adviser if the matter relates to the Oil Code of Conduct;
- the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission; or
- a court; or
- any other dispute resolution body.
If you make adverse comment about individuals in your submission, the committee may reject such evidence or offer a right of reply.
Submissions close on 4 May 2018.
On 19 June 2018, the Senate extended the reporting date from 30 September 2018 to 6 December 2018.
On 4 December 2018, the Senate extended the reporting date from 6 December 2018 to 14 February 2019.
On 13 February 2019, the Senate extended the reporting date from 14 February 2019 to 14 March 2019.
Invitation to make submissions to the Franchising inquiry
Update
The Government has established an inter-agency Franchising Taskforce to examine the feasibility and implementation of recommendations in the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services' Fairness in Franchising report. The Franchising Taskforce website is available at https://www.employment.gov.au/franchising-taskforce.