The main problem the ACCC has is a lack of resources. They have the will to enforce, but can only take on the largest and most blatant breaches, leaving all others to do as they like.

An example of this is in the motor vehicle industry. They have recently taken action against Mazda for misleading, deceptive and unconscionable conduct over a period from 2013 to 2017. So it has taken six years for action to be filed in the Federal Court from when they would have first known of the behaviour.

This behaviour is also rampant in the recreational vehicle industry. I am trying to get an increase to their funding so that they have the resources to do far more enforcement activity.

They have also taken action against Ford, Holden, VW and Audi. Ford paid $10m in penalties. There are also court enforceable undertakings for a number of motor vehicle manufacturers, although they are not being properly enforced. Again, is that due to under-resourcing?

Calling them 'toothless tigers' is not really fair when the government doesn't resource them properly to take on the massive task of enforcement across all industries.

They recently had their funding increased for anti competition and cartel enforcement. They didn't receive any more funding for consumer protection enforcement. There is a clear political agenda to restrict the impact on business of enforcement. This is entirely misguided, as market confidence suffers, good businesses suffer, consumers suffer and industries suffer. A properly functioning market requires consumer confidence and fully available information on the behaviour and production quality of the company.

It takes about 18 months currently to do one investigation. Then 18 months to conclude the legal process, unless the accused sees the sense in negotiating a court enforceable undertaking. Better resourcing would cut the investigation time down and allow more investigations to occur.

Please support the ACCC to support consumers by protecting them with enforcement action.