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Ladders are used in most households for a range of jobs from DIY to changing lightbulbs; however, if the ladder is not in good condition or is used unsafely, falls can occur and cause fractured limbs, spinal cord damage, severe brain injury or death. Standards Australia has just published a revised standard AS 1895.2:2020 Portable ladders which provides minimum requirements…
Read More Safe ladder use and Australian Standards
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Australians in dispute with their bank, insurer, super fund or financial firm have lodged more than 80,000 complaints in the last 12 months, with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) securing $258.6 million in compensation and refunds direct to consumers. People made 80,546 complaints to AFCA between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020. This…
Read More AFCA receives more than 80,000 complaints in FY19/20, nearly 5,000 of which are COVID-19 related
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Consumers can now choose to share their banking data to access more personalised financial products and services following the launch of the Consumer Data Right today. All four major banks are capable of sharing their customers’ data, when requested by the customer. Other authorised deposit-taking institutions will join the Consumer Data Right over the coming…
Read More Consumer Data Right goes live for data sharing
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Victorian energy consumers can now sign up to a new energy deal with the assurance that prices won’t increase more than once every 12 months, with new rules taking effect today. The change is one of many energy reforms to begin on 1 July and mean retailers can no longer engage in ‘bait and switch’…
Read More New protections for energy customers take effectIn this short animated video, Legal Aid Queensland’s Paul Holmes, senior lawyer (consumer advocate), Civil Justice Services team talks about consumer credit insurance. In the ‘legal information bites‘ series, Legal Aid Queensland talks about the law, your rights and where to get legal help if you need it. To find out more about your consumer…
Read More How to access your consumer credit insurance in 3 steps
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The Morrison Government is giving consumers more power to compare and switch providers to lower their energy bills by formally applying the Consumer Data Right regime to the energy sector. The Consumer Data Right provides consumers with greater access to their personal information, giving them the power to instruct businesses to provide safe and secure…
Read More More power to compare and switch energy providers
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A number of life insurers appear not to be taking their obligations under the Life Insurance Code of Practice (the Code) seriously, according to a report released on Friday by the Life Code Compliance Committee (the Committee) – the independent Committee which monitors and enforces industry compliance with the customer service standards set out in…
Read More Report shows life insurers need a stronger commitment to their Code compliance obligations
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The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Friday published Testing Comprehension of the Reference Price, research jointly commissioned from the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT). This research provides new insights about the ways consumers understand electricity offers and the AER and the ACCC will use these insights to consider how…
Read More New research shines light on how consumers understand electricity offers
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A new research report by the Consumer Policy Research Centre explores the global response to COVID-19, with nationwide survey of 1114 Australians showing people are drawing on limited resources just to make ends meet. 12 million Australians are concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on their financial wellbeing; 1 in 5 are ‘very’ concerned Almost…
Read More 1 in 4 Australians are struggling to pay for essentials such as energy, groceries and insurance, adding to existing rent and mortgage stress
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An updated mandatory safety standard for aquatic toys will help to better protect children using inflatable aquatic toys in and around water. Children, in particular young children who often cannot swim, are at risk of drowning if their inflatable aquatic toy suddenly deflates when air is released through the air inlet. The hazard increases if…
Read More New safety standard for aquatic toys
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Consumers should look out for unexpected international transaction fees when buying online from major brands, the ACCC has warned. Even websites with a .com.au domain name or that appear to be Australian based may process transactions overseas, meaning consumers can get charged an international transaction fee even for a purchase made in Australian dollars. The…
Read More Consumers urged to look out for unexpected international transaction fees
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ASIC has seen a rise in the number of investment scam reports from Australian consumers and investors during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Reports of misconduct received by ASIC from March to May 2020 are up 20% compared to the same period last year. ASIC Executive Director for Assessment and Intelligence Warren Day said economic uncertainty…
Read More Rise in investment scams during COVID-19 pandemic