Consumers' Federation of Australia

22 July , 2018

July Update: ACL Review Implementation Tracking Calendar

Following the Review of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and the Productivity Commission Report into ACL Administration and Enforcement, Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) released a new tool to help consumers monitor the implementation of various recommendations. The tool, to be updated quarterly, will provide information as to progress. The July 2018 update is now available…

20 July , 2018

Telephone number loss an issue for consumers and small business

A new report highlighting the issue of phone number loss when migrating to the National Broadband Network (NBN) is recommending greater action by phone companies – including better communication with consumers and small businesses. Residential consumers and small businesses generally expect to retain their existing phone numbers when moving between providers or to the NBN.…

18 July , 2018

Cots and strollers consistently failing CHOICE lab tests

CHOICE is calling for urgent reform to Australia’s product safety system as analysis shows children’s products consistently fail CHOICE lab tests for voluntary and mandatory safety standards. “From portable cots that fail suffocation tests to strollers with finger traps, safety failures are so routine it’s clear that manufacturers are not prioritising safety,” says CHOICE Head…

18 July , 2018

Public comment invited on new refrigeration appliance standard

On 14 June 2018, Standards Australia’s draft AS/NZS 4474:2018 Household refrigerating appliances – Energy labelling and minimum energy performance standards requirements standard was published for public comment. This standard embodies several years of work by members of the EL-059 Committee that includes E3 Program representatives and other key stakeholders. Once implemented, this standard will bring into effect…

17 July , 2018

Consumer data & the digital economy

According to the Consumer Policy Research Centre‘s recent report Consumer data & the digital economy, Australians are spending more of their lives online. 87% were active internet users in 2017, more than 17 million use social networking sites, and 84% of Australians are now buying products online. Big Data is big business. In 2018 alone, revenue from the…

12 July , 2018

Consumer advocates welcome ACCC Final Report on electricity market

Consumer advocates have welcomed the findings of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Retail Electricity Pricing Inquiry Final Report, released yesterday. Energy Consumers Australia Acting CEO Lynne Gallagher said the final report confirms what consumers have been saying: that the electricity market is not working as it should and not delivering good value for…

11 July , 2018

Clear sugar labelling on the table

CHOICE welcomes the Federal Government’s options paper on added sugar today which includes options for strong measures for sugar labelling like visual labelling of teaspoons of sugar on sugar-sweetened beverages. “For years CHOICE has been calling for added sugar labelling and it’s great to see the Federal Government putting forward options that will allow Australians…

10 July , 2018

Australian Energy Regulator puts consumer interests at centre of rate of return decision

The Australian Energy Regulator has today put the long-term interests of households and small businesses at the centre of its draft decision on the allowed ‘rate of return’ for energy networks, Lynne Gallagher, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Energy Consumers Australia said today. “Energy prices, especially electricity prices, are too high in Australia and network…

9 July , 2018

New research suggests leading tech companies are making it difficult for users to opt of out sharing personal data

New research published today by Consumers International‘s member the Norwegian Consumer Council suggests that leading tech companies are making difficult for consumers to opt out of sharing their personal data using a variety of design techniques and default settings. Despite the introduction of the EU’s new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came in to force in…

5 July , 2018

Consultation begins on proposed SA consumer protection reforms

Members of the public are being encouraged to have their say on proposed consumer protection reforms, including measures aimed at cracking down on ticket scalpers. As the Government prepares regulations to govern proposed tougher anti-scalping laws, feedback is being sought on how aspects of the laws will operate in practice. Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Dini…

4 July , 2018

Credit cards should not be a lifelong debt sentence

A proposal to prevent credit cards becoming a lifelong debt sentence has been welcomed by Consumer Action Law Centre. The Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC) has released its proposal together with a new report examining credit card lending in Australia. The report finds that credit card debt is causing problems for at least 1.9…

1 July , 2018

WA Fitness Industry Code Review

The Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has published a consultation paper as part of its review into the WA Fitness Industry Code. Feedback is being sought from fitness services providers, consumers, industry associations and other interested parties as to the effectiveness and appropriateness of the Code. Attending a gym or fitness…