A pile of plastic cups in landfill A pile of plastic cups in landfill

It’s a well-known fact that the rise in consumerism and disposable products is choking and exhausting our planet. Before we reach the day where there is more plastic in the sea than fish, something has to be done to ebb the flow. According to the World Economic Forum, moving towards a circular economy is the key, and a ‘trillion-dollar…

Read More Circular economy the key to tackling resource depletion and pollution

Close up image of strawberries Close up image of strawberries

CFA seeks to appoint a consumer representative to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Consumer and Public Health Dialogue (CPHD). The CPHD provides a means by which FSANZ can engage in deeper and more meaningful consultation with peak consumer and public health bodies and academics. The objective is to improve FSANZ’s awareness and understanding…

Read More Representative opportunity: FSANZ Consumer and Public Health Dialogue

Denim jean pocket holding four credit cards Denim jean pocket holding four credit cards

“Stand strong against industry pressure” is the message from CHOICE CEO Alan Kirkland following Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s announcement this morning about how the government will implement the Banking Royal Commission recommendations.  “Today the Treasurer has outlined how the government will make sure that banks, insurers and mortgage brokers act fairly and provide services that…

Read More CHOICE responds to Treasurer’s Royal Commission road map announcement

A gold watch on a table with button batteries scattered around the watch A gold watch on a table with button batteries scattered around the watch

The ACCC has established a Button Battery Taskforce to investigate ways to reduce risk to the Australian community, particularly children, of button batteries. In Australia two children have died in the past six years after swallowing a button battery, and hundreds of children suspected of swallowing button batteries have ended up in hospital emergency rooms.…

Read More Taskforce to investigate stronger button battery safety

A gold piggy bank A gold piggy bank

The Financial Planning Association is advertising for people with experience representing consumers for its code governing body & disciplinary panel. Code Monitoring Australia Pty Ltd (CMA), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), has developed the FINANCIAL ADVISERS MONITORING SCHEME (FAMS) and has applied to be approved as a code monitoring scheme…

Read More Financial Planning Association seeks consumer representatives

Black computer screen reading 'security' in blue with cursor hovering over word Black computer screen reading 'security' in blue with cursor hovering over word

Australians are set to lose a record amount to scams in 2019, with projections from losses reported to Scamwatch and other government agencies so far expected to exceed $532 million by the end of the year, surpassing half a billion dollars for the first time. This year’s National Scams Awareness Week (12-16 August) theme is “too smart…

Read More Record losses expected as scammers target Australians

A chicken sitting in a barn next to two eggs A chicken sitting in a barn next to two eggs

The ACCC is inviting interested parties to comment on the Humane Farm Animal Care’s application to register a certification trademark (CTM) in Australia. The CTM intends to certify that animal derived products bearing the mark have complied with a range of Humane Farm Animal Care’s livestock and poultry welfare standards.  The mark bears the words…

Read More Humane Farm Animal Care application to register a CTM: invitation to comment

Elderly adult holding telephone to ear Elderly adult holding telephone to ear

Threats of being disconnected from phone and internet services, loss of phone numbers, and inaccurate information about NBN plans are issues highlighted in the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman’s latest report: “Misleading telemarketing of NBN services” published Thursday 1 August, 2019. Between January and December 2018, residential consumers and small businesses made 1,729 complaints to the Telecommunications…

Read More Investigation finds telemarketers pressuring consumers to sign up to NBN
1 comment on "Call for nominations for the ACCAN Board"

A hand holding an iPhone that has a black screen with a picture of a flat battery A hand holding an iPhone that has a black screen with a picture of a flat battery

ACCAN is seeking nominations for Directors to fill three (3) vacancies on its Board. In accordance with the ACCAN Constitution, the 2019-2020 ACCAN Board will consist of nine (9) members1. Six (6) positions are continuing Directors from the 2018-2019 Board. Three (3) Directors are retiring from the Board but may be eligible for re-election as…

Read More Call for nominations for the ACCAN Board

Red letterbox Red letterbox

Consumer protection regulators are running a national campaign to help consumers avoid paying extra fees to receive bills in the post. People who prefer to receive paper bills are usually seniors, consumers on a low income, or people without internet access, which means that vulnerable consumers end up paying extra just to pay their bills.…

Read More How to stop paying fees for bills you receive in the mail

A yellow road sign with black writing that reads "bankruptcy" A yellow road sign with black writing that reads "bankruptcy"

CFA member Nicola Howell (PhD researcher, Melbourne Law School and Senior Lecturer at QUT) is researching the impact of financial difficulty assistance, bankruptcy and debt agreements on consumer debtors. A better understanding of how people experience the different options, and whether they improve the lives of debtors in the short and long term, can help…

Read More Researching the impact of financial difficulty assistance: Request for participation