Qld: Lonely hearts to be given protection, says Spence

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2000
Qld: Lonely hearts to be given protection, says Spence

BRISBANE, Feb 11 AAP - Lonely hearts clubs in Queensland face a crackdown following
more than 500 complaints over the past five years, the state government said today.

Fair Trading Minister Judy Spence announced the establishment of a telephone hotline
to probe the practices of dating agencies and gauge whether legislation was necessary
to regulate the industry.

Ms Spence said 540 complaints had been made about introduction agencies over the past five years.

One complaint to her department was from the mother of a man with a physical disability
and speech impediment, who had paid an agency $20,000 to find him a partner.

The man had been hounded by the agency until he paid the fee in full, using money from
a personal injury settlement following a car accident.

He was then given the phone numbers of women who lived long distances away.

"These people are heartless and we need to weed them out," Ms Spence said in a statement.

"In many cases they've been getting away with it until either the media or law enforcement
agencies catch up with them."

Ms Spence said the government was having problems getting information due to the sensitive
nature of the services provided and the vulnerability of clients, who were often reluctant
to speak out.

"I would urge consumers to take advantage of the hotline," she said.

"Information can be given anonymously."

The minister said the toll-free hotline would begin on Valentine's Day. People can
phone 1800 501 998.

Comment was being sought from introduction agencies.

AAP jhm/sc/ej/de

KEYWORD: LONELY

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