The South Australian Small Business Commissioner Bill is a step nearer to becoming legislation after it was passed by the Lower House yesterday.

The Bill, which the Franchise Council of Australia believes contains anti-franchising legislation, now goes to the Upper House.

FCA executive director Steve Wright said it should be subject to a thorough committee review.   

"It introduces a de-facto franchising Act with very high penalties and potentially different rules to those which apply in every other State," Wright said. "What's more, there is no explanation of how this set of rules will be administered in relation to the existing national policing authority of the ACCC.

"It is my understanding that a number of major stakeholders, including law representative bodies, have expressed their concern with the Government's approach," Wright said.