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Financial institutions who subscribe to a Code of Practice have obligations to consumers experiencing financial difficulty. The independent committees who monitor the Codes urge consumers to also be aware of these obligations. In 2018, financial difficulty was a particular focus of the committees, especially in the banking sphere where an inquiry found that customer requests…

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Consumer organizations have welcomed the federal government’s decision today to extend until 28 February the consultation period for the review of grocery unit pricing previously due to close on 18 December. The Queensland Consumers Association (QCA), the Consumers Federation of Australia (the peak body of Australian consumer groups) and Choice had all asked for the…

Read More Consumers welcome changes to federal review of grocery unit pricing

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New research from leading consumer and tenancy groups (CHOICE, National Shelter and the National Association of Tenant Organisations (NATO)) show that Australians who rent are living in fear of eviction and rent rises. The report ‘DISRUPTED: The consumer experience of renting in Australia ‘DISRUPTED: The consumer experience of renting in Australia’ surveyed Australians who rent…

Read More New report from leading consumer and tenancy group on renting in Australia

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The ACMA has established a Scam Technology Project to explore practical technical solutions to address the proliferation of scam calls over Australian telecommunications networks. ‘Scam calls are more than a nuisance. They pose a real threat, particularly to those in vulnerable circumstances such as older people,’ said ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin. “This project will investigate…

Read More Scam Technology Project to address proliferation of scams

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New unit pricing standard empowers consumers Consumers have been equipped with a new tool making buying decisions easier with products now able to be compared on a fairer level, thanks to an international effort spearheaded by Australian experts including Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA) representative Ian Jarratt. The recently published International Standard, ISO 21041:2018, Guidance on…

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International Volunteer Day (IVD) 5 December 2018, “Volunteers build resilient communities”, recognises volunteers worldwide – with a special focus on local community volunteers – who contribute to making their communities more resilient against natural disasters, economic stresses and political shocks. The campaign theme combines the recognition of volunteers with concrete evidence from the State of the World’s…

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Over 458,000 Australian families and 39,000 small businesses are getting a better deal on their energy prices thanks to pressure from the Morrison Government on the big energy companies to put customers first. Origin Energy and Alinta have today joined AGL, EnergyAustralia, Next Business Energy, WINconnect, and PowerShop in lowering standing offers on 1 January…

Read More Energy prices are coming down

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All Australian governments are now formally committed to the country’s first National Consumer Protection Framework to ensure greater protection for people participating in online wagering. Federal Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, said the National Consumer Protection Framework for online wagering provides 10 strong, nationally consistent minimum protections for consumers of Australian interactive wagering services. “The National…

Read More First National Framework to help reduce harm from online wagering