SmartCompany.com.au:
Disgruntled franchisees are planning to establish another franchisee association, with the support of a Liberal MP, complaining of poor treatment by franchisors and a lack of representation from the Franchise Council of Australia.
Joanna Gash, a long-time agitator for franchisee rights and Liberal member for the Federal seat of Gilmore in New South Wales, told SmartCompany the FCA – which represents both franchisors and franchisees – has failed to address the power imbalance between the two.
Gash says while the issue is to some extent a bipartisan issue, she’d like the Gillard Government to set up a small business and family enterprises ombudsman, and require franchisors to negotiate in good faith.