Which body oversees corporate regulation and consumer protection in Australia?

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is the body responsible for overseeing corporate regulation and consumer protection in Australia. ASIC's primary role is to enforce and regulate company and financial services laws to protect consumers, investors, and creditors. This includes monitoring financial markets, enforcing company laws, and supervising the conduct of corporations to ensure fair and transparent practices in the marketplace.

ASIC also focuses on consumer protection by providing education and guidance to the public about the financial services industry and overseeing financial professionals to ensure compliance with regulations designed to protect consumers. This involves investigating potential misconduct and enforcing penalties against those who violate the law, thus contributing to job security and fair trading in the financial sector.

The other options serve different purposes: the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is primarily focused on financial safety and soundness of financial institutions, the Reserve Bank of Australia is responsible for monetary policy and the stability of the currency, and the Australian Treasury deals with government finances and economic policy formulation, but does not directly manage corporate regulation or consumer protection.