Consumer Liaison Committee

Terms of Reference

Introduction

The FSANZ Board has expressed its support and commitment to improving stakeholder engagement practices particularly in the area of consumer input. This is in recognition of the changing nature of the way government does business and an increased need for agencies to engage stakeholders in a meaningful way. Issues that have influenced the Board’s thinking include:

• Increasing expectations of, and role for, public participation;
• The desire to encourage dialogue and deliberation by consumers in FSANZ processes; and
• The need to bring stakeholders up to a level of understanding of the subject to promote informed discussion.

The Consumer Liaison Committee was established in order to assist FSANZ in meeting its broader objectives of:

• Maintaining and developing confidence in the food supply;
• Increasing accountability and transparency in decision-making;
• Promoting debate to help ensure minimum effective regulations;
• Allowing smooth implementation following decision-making; and
• Developing and maintaining partnerships with stakeholders.

The role of the FSANZ Consumer Liaison Committee

The role of the Committee is to:

• Alert FSANZ to key issues of current or emerging consumer concern;
• Advise on consultation methodologies, including ways of reaching vulnerable and hard to reach groups;
• Facilitate joint work between the FSANZ and consumer groups;
• Offer advice on other issues that may be referred to the Committee by the Board; and
• Participate in standards development processes through membership on Standards Development Advisory Committees and other consultative committee or activities where appropriate.