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Businesses and individuals are being invited to have their say on how technology can be used to streamline the way statutory declarations and deeds are executed. Consultation will provide insights on how statutory declarations and deeds are used in the everyday transactions of Australians and inform advice to Treasurers and Attorneys General on a common…

Read More Consultation to modernise document execution across the Federation

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Injuries suffered by infants in prams and strollers have included wounds to their head or face, crushing injuries and amputations. Carers and children outside of the pram or stroller have also suffered crushing injuries and lacerations to hands. In some cases, fingers have been amputated, read more in the ACCC Prams and strollers: Safety alert which includes…

Read More Prams and strollers – draft standard open for public comment

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On Friday 24th September the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) released a report on the state of competition in Australia’s funds management industry. This is a media release from the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC). It was originally published on 24th September, 2021. ASIC commissioned independent research by Deloitte Access Economics (Deloitte) to examine competition between…

Read More ASIC release report on competition in the Australian funds management industry

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Telecommunications and credit and personal finance providers were found to be joint wooden spoon winners in a 2020 Sector Scorecard developed by Consumer Policy Research Centre and Roy Morgan. By delivering the joint worst customer experience overall these sectors have let down their customers when they most needed support. This highlights the need for increased…

Read More Telcos and credit providers fail consumers during COVID-19, says new scorecard

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The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has welcomed an overall fall in complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO), however, raised concerns that small businesses may be suffering as complaint levels from the sector reach a three year high. This is a media release from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). It was originally published…

Read More Telecommunications complaints fall, but serious concerns remain

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Complaints about phone and internet services decreased 6.1 per cent in the last financial year ending 30 June 2021. During this period, residential consumers and small businesses made 119,400 complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, highlighted in the Annual Report 2020-21 published on the 22nd September 2021. This is a media release from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.…

Read More Third year of declining phone and internet complaints but problems persist for small businesses

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The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is inviting organisations and individuals to apply for membership on its Customer Consultative Group (CCG), a key consumer panel providing input into retail energy consumer experiences. This is a news item from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). It was originally published on 15th September, 2021. The CCG is a critical part of our stakeholder…

Read More Australian Energy Regulator seeks new members on key panel representing consumer views

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The Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) today released a report indicating that banks would comply with their direct debit obligation under the Banking Code of Practice (the Code) in only 71% of cases. In March 2021, the BCCC conducted a mystery shopping exercise into banks’ compliance with their obligation to promptly cancel a customer’s direct debit on…

Read More Banking Code Committee concerned by direct debits compliance

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Ticket scalping will be illegal in Western Australia after legislation introduced by the McGowan Government passed State Parliament, delivering on an election commitment. This is an announcement from the Government of Western Australia, Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. It was originally published on 8th September, 2021. The tough new measures will be in place…

Read More Just the ticket – tough new laws to stamp out scalping

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Smart devices or Internet of Things (IoTs) have a significant role in our daily lives at home.  A new report has raised the importance of increasing consumer awareness of privacy and consumer protection issues associated with IoTs since there is very limited legal protection for consumers who use these devices. The report Enhancing consumer awareness of…

Read More Thinking of buying a smart device for your home?

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The Government has today released a draft Bill to strengthen unfair contract term (UCT) protections for consumers and small businesses. This is a media release from The Hon Michael Sukkar MP, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness, Social and Community Housing. It was originally published on 23rd August, 2021. The exposure draft Bill proposes…

Read More Strengthening unfair contract term protections for consumers and small businesses