There’s a vast army of people in the Western Australian community dedicating their lives to helping consumers and tenants, and now is a golden opportunity for them to shine.

With nominations currently open for the Consumer Protection Awards 2022, I would urge advocates and promoters of consumer rights to step forward and lodge an online application before the closing date.

The awards shine a spotlight on the great work being carried out in the community, whether it is offering advice, assistance and education; lobbying for change; creating a greater understanding of consumer law; promoting safety products; or highlighting consumer issues generally.

There are four categories, three of which are named after prominent past advocates Rona Okely, Richard (Dick) Fletcher and Ruby Hutchison, while the Kidsafe WA category focuses on promotion of product safety and injury prevention for children.

Nominees have the chance to join a highly distinguished group of people and organisations that took out the 2021 awards, including Melanie Mitchell, whose almost three year old son Lachlan drowned in a backyard pool at a family day care centre in 2015. Melanie took out the Kidsafe WA Award for her work in lobbying for a ban on swimming pools at family day care services under the banner of ‘Lachlan’s Legacy’, and as an ambassador for Royal Life Saving Society Australia.  

The other 2021 winners were Francine Bell, a campaigner for additive-free food for children; Women’s Legal Centre, which specialises in women’s rights and justice; and reporter Gary Adshead who produced a feature story on the tow truck industry in WA.   

Winners of the 2022 Awards will be presented with a cash prize and a trophy by the Commerce Minister and will be further recognised with their names engraved on a perpetual shield.

Nominations will close at 11.59pm on Friday, 29 October 2021 – so please take the initiative to nominate someone you know, or don’t be shy about putting your own name forward.

Visit www.commerce.wa.gov.au/cpawards for further information about the conditions, categories and to access the nomination form.

Gary Newcombe

Commissioner for Consumer Protection