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The Federal Court has ordered four companies in the Mayfair 101 Group to pay a combined penalty of $30 million for misleading advertising. This is a media release from the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC). It was originally published on 22nd December, 2021. In March 2021, the Court found Mayfair Wealth Partners Pty Ltd and Online Investments Pty…

Read More Mayfair 101 Group to pay $30 million penalty for misleading advertising

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Need to know Rapid antigen tests are being sold at inflated prices by some retailers The ACCC is investigating the price gouging Advocates say stronger price-gouging protections are needed for consumers This is a media release from CHOICE. It was originally published on 5th January, 2022. It was only a few weeks ago that COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs)…

Read More Price gouging: COVID-19 rapid antigen test prices soar

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Energy Queensland is Queensland’s 100% owned group of electricity distribution, retail, and services businesses. As a Government Owned Corporation, it delivers electricity across Queensland through it’s ‘poles and wires’ businesses Energex and Ergon Energy Network. It’s retailer, Ergon Energy Retail sells this electricity to customers throughout regional Queensland. These essential service activities are supported by a…

Read More Consumer Representative Opportunity: Energy Queensland seeking EOIs to join it’s Customer and Community Council

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The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is consulting on a bold new strategy, launched today for consultation, to improve outcomes for consumers experiencing vulnerability and help them stay engaged with the rapidly transforming energy market. This is a media release from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). It was originally published on 20th December, 2021. Latest energy debt figures show a 56% increase…

Read More Financial issues ‘just the tip of the iceberg’ in supporting energy consumers, prompting new tactics from the AER

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The Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) today released a report into how banks provide inclusive and accessible banking services and support customers experiencing vulnerability. This is a media release from the Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC). It was originally published on 20th December, 2021. The BCCC’s Inquiry found that: banks have invested significant resources to support customers experiencing vulnerability…

Read More Banks’ support for customers experiencing vulnerability a work in progress

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Prepared by CFA Executive Member Ian Jarratt, of Queensland Consumers Association. He can be reached at ijarratt@australiamail.com. Recently, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) published two reports, aimed to support, and showcase the work of Consumer Organizations around the globe on The Right to Adequate Food. The reports are: Consumer Organizations and the Right to…

Read More FAO publishes reports on consumer organizations and the Right to Adequate Food

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A new mandatory safety standard for portable non-aerosol fire extinguishers, published today, will improve existing performance and identification requirements, to reduce the risk of a fire extinguisher not operating correctly during a fire. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was originally published on 20th December, 2021. The new standard, issued…

Read More New safety standard for portable non-aerosol fire extinguishers

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Prepared by CFA Executive Member Ian Jarratt, of Queensland Consumers Association. He can be reached at ijarratt@australiamail.com. The final report was handed to the Australian Government on 29 October 2021 and publicly released on 1 December 2021. The Government has not yet announced its response to the report. CFA and several member organisations participated in the…

Read More Productivity Commission’s Final Report on “Right To Repair” Released

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Victoria is leading a national consultation on behalf of all Australian Health Ministers on the use of the title surgeon by medical practitioners under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (National Law).  This is a duplication of contact from the Department of Health. It was received on 13th December, 2021. Health ministers are concerned that the regulatory framework…

Read More Medical practitioners’ use of the title surgeon under the National Law

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Affordable energy and transition to a decarbonised energy system in ways that put customers at the centre, have been identified by the Energy Charter as critical ongoing commitments in 2022, following a new report released today. This is a media release from The Energy Charter. It was originally published on 15th December, 2021. Energy Charter Full Signatories, made up of…

Read More Energy sector remains focused on transition and affordability

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The Morrison Government is consulting on ways to strengthen the consumer guarantee and supplier indemnification provisions under the Australian Consumer Law. This is a media release from The Hon Michael Sukkar MP. It was originally published on 14th December, 2021. The consultation paper released today includes options for civil prohibitions and penalties for suppliers that fail to provide…

Read More Strengthening protections for consumers and small businesses

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Gift cards are very convenient and popular presents to buy at this time of year. However the Queensland Consumers Association advises buyers to choose ones that will be useful to the receiver, have fair terms and conditions, and have reasonable fees. This is a media release from Queensland Consumers Association. It was originally published on 9th December, 2021.…

Read More Gift card buying tips