UNSCRUPULOUS doorknockers could be banned from the municipality if a new proposal is given the green light.

Staff at the Footscray Community Legal Centre (FCLC) have asked Maribyrnong Council to ban door-to-door salespeople from entering the municipality in a bid to crack down on dodgy trade practices.

The plan follows an FCLC report last month that found that energy companies were exploiting vulnerable migrants, pressuring them into signing contracts they did not understand.

It would involve co-operation from retailers who would be asked to sign a voluntary contract, agreeing to keep out of the municipality.

The report revealed that many migrants, particularly those of African decent, were confused by the contracts and found it difficult to communicate with salespeople because they had limited understanding of English.

The report also cited instances of some residents being slugged with multiple bills because of problems transferring energy accounts.

FCLC manager Dennis Nelthorpe said the centre wanted to embark on a partnership with the council to help alleviate the legal problems of new arrivals.

“What we need is a voluntary do-not-knock register,” Mr Nelthorpe said.

“We believe it would be an incredibly effective way of tackling the problem.”

Mr Nelthorpe said doorknocking was “bad news” for the municipality and urged the council to write to energy and telecommunications companies to ask them to join in protecting vulnerable migrants.

“You’ve got sales agents signing up 14-year-olds and getting people to sign contracts who can’t read English,” he said.

“Clearly the verification process has got to be a joke.”

Mr Nelthorpe also wants the council to consider reducing parking fines for migrants who do not understand local laws or cannot afford to pay.

“We’re not suggesting there shouldn’t be fines, we’re saying that maybe they should be based on a percentage of their income, rather than a set amount,” Mr Nelthorpe said.

Councillor John Cumming said he agreed unscrupulous doorknockers posed a problem for the municipality and said the council should examine its own practices.

“We’re one of the parties who impose the fines, so we’re part of the problem,” Cr Cumming said.

“It’s a shame we haven’t learnt from experience and the system hasn’t caught up with the growing needs of the municipality.”

He urged the legal centre to draft a motion for the council to consider in the future.

Maribyrnong mayor Michael Clarke said he would call a councillor briefing to look into the feasibility of the proposal.