The hunt is on for people who have contributed to raising community awareness of consumer rights, either as an advocate or educator, to nominate for the Consumer Protection Awards 2020.

Nominations have now opened for the awards which were won last year by a consumer researcher, a community legal centre, a family lobbying for toppling furniture laws and an ABC reporter. Each was presented with a cash prize and a trophy by Commerce Minister John Quigley. Winners were further recognised with their names engraved on a perpetual shield.

There are four award categories:

• Rona Okely Award – for an individual who has given their time, energy and experience for the betterment of others;
• Richard (Dick) Fletcher Award – for a local government, non-government organisation or group of individuals for their services, initiative or project;
• Kidsafe WA Award which focuses on promotion of product safety and injury prevention for children; and
• Ruby Hutchison Award to acknowledge a journalist, producer, program or media outlet for raising awareness and improving understanding of consumer/tenancy/product safety issues.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Penny Lipscombe is encouraging Western Australians to think about those who deserve public recognition and to put their names forward.

“The Consumer Protection Awards provide an opportunity to highlight the outstanding work being done in the community to inform consumers and promote their interests such as the creation of safer products, education on money management, tenancy issues or scam prevention,” Ms Lipscombe said.

“The process is simple so I would urge members of the community and media to visit the Consumer Protection website and nominate.”

Nominations can be completed by downloading a form at www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/cp-awards and close at 5pm on Friday 29 November 2019. Winners will be announced at a presentation luncheon on Wednesday 18 March 2020.

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Media Contact: Alan Hynd, (08) 6552 9248 / 0429 078 791 / alan.hynd@dmirs.wa.gov.au 

Nominate now for Consumer Protection Awards 2020