Strengthening consumer protections in the wake of Covid-19 will be one of the priorities of newly appointed NSW Fair Trading Commissioner, Natasha Mann.

Mann has replaced Rose Webb who is retiring after four years as both Fair Trading Commissioner and head of the Department of Customer Service’s Better Regulation Division. She has more than 18 years’ regulatory, legal and public policy experience in the NSW public sector and most recently held a senior executive role in the NSW Department of Communities & Justice.

Mann said she was excited to lead reforms to protect NSW consumer rights as they engage with businesses in innovative new ways.  

“We will continue to make sure we are a risk-based regulator with the right tools, including putting in place the best intelligence and regulatory systems to protect consumers,” she said.

“Engaging with community, industry and other stakeholders is an integral part of our role – and placing people at the centre of our work is an important part of how we tackle regulatory challenges. I look forward to continuing Fair Trading’s active participation in national reforms to monitor changes to consumer habits and regulation, including issues arising during the pandemic.

“We will examine how the Australian Consumer Law can be improved as a result.”