Franchise Council calls on WA franchise bill to be scrapped after inquiry submissions show little support

The Franchise Council of Australia is calling on the West Australian Liberal party to scrap a proposal from Liberal MP Peter Abetz to introduce state-based franchising laws, after 90% of submissions inquiry into the bill were made in opposition.

Of the 114 submissions on the inquiry’s website, just 15 support the bill.

“What these submissions inquiry show is that it’s going to be extremely difficult for the community to come to any conclusion other than there is widespread opposition to the Abetz bill,” FCA boss Steve Wright told SmartComapny.

“It’s going to find it difficult to find any supporting evidence that there is widespread disgruntle about the way franchise operates in WA.”

Wright says suggestions that franchisees feel particularly under pressure from rogue franchisors have also been called into question.

“Two franchisees put in submissions in support of Abetz bill certainly underlines the frail nature of the claims he was making.”

“The fact that there were submissions from 19 franchisees that were opposed is illustrative.”

Wright says the submissions show there has been an “enormous and damming lack of consultation in the preparation of this bill” and says it should now be scrapped.