In brief
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services has completed its inquiry into the operation and effectiveness of the Franchising Code of Conduct (the Franchising Code). The Committee's report recommends 71 wide-ranging recommendations to address perceived power imbalances and exploitation in the franchising sector.
We take a look at the key proposals and the implications for businesses. The report also recommends the establishment of an inter-agency governmental taskforce to review certain recommendations in further detail, meaning additional opportunities for engagement and comment will likely be available to stakeholders. We will await the outcomes of the taskforce's actions, and the Government's response to the recommendations.