The Consumer Council is deeply grateful to its outgoing Chairperson, Ms. Anna WU, for her distinguished leadership and dedication in consumer advocacy and empowerment.
In her more than 10 years with the Consumer Council - appointed as Member in April 1989, Vice-Chairperson in October 1993 and Chairperson in October 1997 - Ms. Wu has made invaluable contributions.
Ms. Wu has been closely associated with the Council's Legal Protection Committee from the outset having served as its Chairperson from 1992 to 1997. During the past 10 years, the Council has seen to fruition its lobbying efforts a growing body of consumer protection legislation - notably, the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance in 1993, Supply of Services (Implied Terms) Ordinance in 1994, Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance in 1995, Unconscionable Contracts Ordinance in 1995, Estate Agents Ordinance in 1997, Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation in 1997, etc.
Ms. Wu was also the principal driving force behind the successful establishment of the Consumer Legal Action Fund (CLAF) in 1994 with a grant of $10 million from the Government. She chaired the Management Committee of CLAF from December 1994 to January 1998, and has chaired the Board of Administrators since January 1998. CLAF has proven to be effective in bringing redress to aggrieved consumers in exemplary cases and in deterring trade malpractices.
Under her chairmanship, the Council was given a major financial boost from the Government which enabled a re-organisation of its structure. A new Consumer Education Division was brought into existence in addition to the other services, significantly strengthening the Council's capacity in informing and empowering consumers.
A keen supportor of competition in the marketplace, Ms. Wu chaired the Steering Group on Broadcasting study and in the report to Government, the Council advocated for integration of the broadcasting, telecom and information technology policies.
Since Government's release of the Competition Policy Statement, the Council has devised a benchmark code of practice for trade and professional associations in amending/devising codes of practice with provisions to safeguard fair competition and consumer protection.
Ms. Wu is a strong advocate of consumer interests in both local and international forums, effectively putting across the Council's position on all issues of interest and concern to consumers. She has represented the Council in a diverse field of endeavours sitting on such bodies as the Hospital Authority and the Securities and Futures Commission's Investor Education Advisory Committee.