QLD: Crack down on shonky dasting agencies

AAP General News (Australia)
12-03-2000
QLD: Crack down on shonky dasting agencies

BRISBANE, Dec 3 AAP - Introduction agencies with bogus client lists that take thousands
of dollars in up-front fees from lonely Queenslanders are the target of a new government
crackdown.

"These shonky dating agencies make matches that will never spark. Their conduct has
caused heartbreak throughout Queensland," Premier Peter Beattie said today.

To overcome the problem the government plans a matchmaker licensing system to monitor
the industry.

In a statement, Mr Beattie said introduction agencies played an important role in society.

"But in recent years problems have mushroomed with the Office of Fair Trading taking
an average 100 formal complaints a year since 1995," Mr Beattie said.

Some of the worst offenders were ex-Victorians who had come north to avoid existing
licensing systems.

"We don't want lonely Queenslanders falling prey to them so we are introducing our
own strict licensing regime," Mr Beattie said.

Fair Trading Minister Judy Spence said the legislation would target agencies that lured
clients by showing them photos of staff and others not on their books.

"This leads lonely people to believe the agency has others seeking a partner," Ms Spence said.

People with serious criminal records, people involved in the sex industry, minors and
businesses that were insolvent or under administration need not apply, she said.

Ms Spence said the new laws would give clients a three day cooling-off period with
up-front fees capped at 30 per cent of the total cost.

Agencies would also be required to fully disclose all conditions in contracts.

Ms Spence said breaches would carry fines up to $40,500.

She said complaints to the Office of Fair Trading included unauthorised credit card
deductions, services not provided after fees paid, high pressure selling, misleading statements,
excessive charges and evasive responses to queries.

AAP geb/cjh

KEYWORD: DATING

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