Consumers' Federation of Australia

16 April , 2021

Joint consumer submission to the Review of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority

CFA has endorsed the joint consumer submission to the Treasury Review of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). Contributors to this submission have supported and represented thousands of people in disputes with financial services providers and superannuation funds over many years. This includes extensive experience with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), as well as its predecessor schemes,the Financial…

15 April , 2021

Defamation law reform: implications for consumer advocacy

In 2019, the Consumers Federation of Australia participated in initial consultations as part of the Review of Defamation Law. Part 1 of this Review has now been completed, and on 31 March 2021, Attorneys-General agreed that New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and all other jurisdictions that are able to do so will commence the…

14 April , 2021

Public comment invited on draft standards for summer toboggan runs

There are a number of facilities with summer toboggan runs operating in Australia. Summer toboggans are an amusement or recreational ride which uses a sled or cart to run down a track usually built on the side of a hill. The type of track, safety features, speed and layout vary. The two new standards open…

12 April , 2021

New global update on unit pricing newsletter released by consumer group

A new issue of the Unit Pricing Global Update, a newsletter prepared six monthly by the Queensland Consumers Association, has been released and is available here. It contains short items about unit pricing in, or research on it for, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Japan, and the European Union. The section on Australia includes the results…

12 April , 2021

Unit Pricing (pricing per unit of measure) global update – March 2021

Prepared by Ian Jarratt, Queensland Consumers Association, Australia. Email: ijarratt@australiamail.com. Australia Unit pricing review The results of the federal government’s review of the mandatory Grocery Unit Pricing Code, which started in November 2018, have still not been announced. Unless renewed, the Code will cease to exist on 1 October 2021. The previous 1 October 2019…

12 April , 2021

Retirement Living Code of Conduct – Annual Report

The Code Review Panel for the Retirement Living Code has published its inaugural Annual Report. The report confirms that in Australia today, more than 46% of retirement village residents are living in a Code Compliant community. The Code Review Panel comprises Dr Elizabeth Lanyon (Independent Chair of the Code Review Panel), Peter Nilsson (Operator Representative),…

9 April , 2021

Consumers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds experienced greater hardship during COVID-19 lockdown due to financial stress and poor industry practices

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating across Australia. Whilst job losses and financial instability did not discriminate, consumers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities have been disproportionately impacted. CPRC undertook this research to measure the economic fallout of COVID-19 with consumers who speak a language other than English at home, compared…

9 April , 2021

Banks unite to help customers experiencing financial abuse

Australian banks are launching updated guidelines on financial abuse as part of their continued focus on responding to family violence and elder abuse. The updated industry-wide approach is designed to ensure bank staff are equipped to recognise signs of financial abuse. This is an ABA media release, originally published on 4th April, 2021. “This kind of…

7 April , 2021

ASIC bans the sale of binary options to retail clients

ASIC has made a product intervention order banning the issue and distribution of binary options to retail clients. The ban will take effect from Monday 3 May 2021 after ASIC found that binary options have resulted in and are likely to result in significant detriment to retail clients. This is an ASIC media release, originally published…

31 March , 2021

Banks call for consistent laws to prevent elder abuse

Australian banks are urging state and territory governments to adopt consistent laws on powers of attorney to prevent elder financial abuse. This is a media release from the Australian Banking Association. It was originally published on 31st March, 2021. State and federal Attorneys-General are meeting today to consider a scope for a national register of power of…

29 March , 2021

Involved in building works – What does the National Construction Code mean?

Involved in any building works? The National Construction Code (NCC) sets out the minimum requirements and provides uniform technical standards for design and construction of new building work (including in existing buildings), plumbing and drainage across all Australian States and Territories. A FREE copy of the NCC is available here. NCC Volume 2 contains the requirements for residential and non-habitable…

26 March , 2021

Morrison Government levels the playing field for independent repairers

The Morrison Government has today introduced legislation into the Parliament to establish a mandatory scheme for the sharing of motor vehicle service and repair information. This ground breaking legislation will level the playing field for the automotive repair sector, increasing competition and consumer choice. This is a media release from The Hon Michael Sukkar MP,…