PROTECTING Australia's most vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers from excessive fees and charges will be the focus of a public consultation on paper billing says Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack.
The Paper Billing Consultation Paper is seeking submissions from consumers, businesses charging fees for paper bills and affected stakeholders.
"There has been a significant shift away from paper billing in recent years," Mr McCormack said.
"Yet not every Australian consumer has the means to access digital billing and it is unfair to punish them for being unable to do so.
"Better outcomes and protections are needed for those consumers who do not have the option to transition to digital bills and who can least afford to be penalised."
The consultation paper seeks submissions on several options to enhance consumer protections such as an outright ban on paper billing fees or limiting fees to actual costs incurred by business.
Submissions on the consultation paper can be made by lodging a submission online via the Treasury website or by mail to The Treasury, Langton Crescent, Parkes ACT 2600.
Submissions close on Friday, December 22.
