The Minister for Consumer Protection, Mr Nick McKim, today announced the signing of the first co-operative agreement between the Tasmanian Office of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading, Fair Trading NSW and Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Mr McKim said the agreement was a commitment from the three organisations to work cooperatively to crack down on travelling conmen.

"I am confident this agreement will provide not only enhanced protection to consumers in all three States but will also allow the participating agencies to share knowledge and resources," Mr McKim said.

"I am confident that by working together we will be better able to identify these unscrupulous operators and put a stop to their conduct not only in the three participating states but also by limiting their ability to move about the country undetected.

"The signing of this agreement by the three agencies will enable greater sharing of intelligence regarding the identities and activities of travelling conmen.

"This is the first time such an agreement has been signed between the agencies and is an example of the benefits being derived from the advent of the Australian Consumer Law, introduced in 2011 to provide a single, national consumer protection framework."

The Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading, Chris Batt, signed the agreement on behalf of Tasmania.

Mr Batt said the conduct of travelling conmen is of concern to consumer protection agencies across Australia.

"By their nature these individuals regularly move across state and territory borders, taking advantage of consumers everywhere they go.

"Travelling conmen target consumers with 'one day only' deals, requiring consumer to make payment up front and then either doing a poor job or leaving the work incomplete.

 "They also usually provide false contact details so that consumers are unable to make contact with the traders to arrange for them to come and rectify the work.

"I am hopeful that this will be the first of many cooperative ventures my office will embark on with our colleagues interstate."