A new national campaign will help consumers put an end to unwelcome, dishonest and intimidating door-to-door salespeople. The centrepiece of the campaign is the free Do Not Knock sticker which, when displayed in a prominent location, sends a clear message to salespeople – they are not welcome at this residence. Get yours at donotknock.org.au
Number woman needs your help to achieve fair call prices from mobiles
Number woman has got ACMA, the industry regulator, to support the call for fairs calls for all. But she needs your help to get the ...
Developing a sustainability standard for bioenergy
Bioenergy is a type of renewable power generation technology that efficiently extracts considerable quantities of clean, low-emission electricity from sources such as agricultural crop wastes, plantation wood waste, urban garden and food waste, sugar cane residues (known as bagasse), sewage and animal wastes.
Time to give Australian fare a Fair Go
CHOICE uses Australia Day to call for better country-of-origin food labelling In the lead-up to Australia Day, CFA Member CHOICE is calling on politicians to act on the overwhelming desire of Australian consumers for better country-of-origin labelling on food for retail sale. The people’s watchdog says that consumers regularly identify country-of-origin labelling as a major concern, [...]
ASIC discussion paper: EDR jurisdiction and debt collection proceedings
ASIC has released a consultation paper to commence its review of external dispute resolution (EDR) jurisdiction over consumer complaints in cases where members have commenced legal proceedings to recover debts from consumers.
Warning on magnets in toys
Consumer Affairs Victoria reminded Victorian parents and carers of the dangers that toys containing magnets can pose if swallowed following the recent death of a Queensland toddler.
Mandatory standards: protecting consumers
Mandatory safety standards are made for products that are likely to be especially hazardous. In making mandatory safety standards, the government protects consumers by specifying minimum requirements that products must meet before they are supplied
Consumers the losers as competition tribunal sides with power companies – yet again.
Victorian households are staring down the barrel of yet another electricity price hike after the Australian Competition Tribunal (ACT) overturned significant aspects of the ruling of the energy industry’s independent regulator.
Payday Loan “ATMs” – A New Low in Irresponsible Lending
An Australian fringe lending company is introducing payday loan “kiosks” which look like ATMs into Queensland shopping centres, a move that financial counsellors say could put financially vulnerable families at greater risk post the holidays.
New standard to manage the impact of e-waste
Waste from obsolete computers and television sets (known as e-waste) is now a massive problem worldwide. To assist industry to comply with new legislation about e-waste management, Standards Australia is developing a new standard, AS/NZS 5377 – Collection, storage, transport and treatment of e-waste.
New Consumers International report shines the spotlight on global money-transfer markets
Millions of consumers around the world transfer money to their friends and relatives abroad. The World Bank estimates that a total of USD483 billion was sent in 2011.
Many communities in developing countries rely on remittances sent home by migrant workers to meet basic needs. But average charges for this relatively simple transaction are unreasonably high, often 10 or 20%.
Ensuring the safety of chemicals in cosmetics
Ingredients in cosmetic products are classed as industrial chemicals, even those described as naturally occurring. To make sure these products are safe for the workers handling them, the environment and for use by consumers, the Australian Government assesses the ingredients used in the manufacture and importation of cosmetics in Australia.
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