Everyday Consumer - 2/69 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

21 December , 2020

Public warning: Avoid dodgy furniture removalist – My Moovers

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has issued a public warning to consumers to avoid using a Melbourne-based furniture removalist who operates nationally. This is an OFT Media Release 18 December 2020. Consumers should avoid engaging Ajanvi Pty Ltd, trading as My Moovers and Saka Qld Pty Ltd trading as My Moovers Qld and the…

8 December , 2020

Issues paper released for the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Right to Repair

The Productivity Commission has released an issues paper to assist individuals and organisations to prepare submissions to the Inquiry into Right to Repair. Right to Repair is a consumer’s ability to repair faulty goods, or access repair services, at a competitive price. This can include repair by a manufacturer, a third-party, or self-repair. The inquiry…

2 December , 2020

New rules to detect, trace and block scam calls

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has today registered new rules that require telcos to detect, trace and block scam calls. The Reducing Scam Calls Code, developed by the telco industry, was a direct recommendation of the ACMA’s Combating Scams Action Plan. This is an ACMA Media Release The ACMA has worked closely with telcos and peak…

25 November , 2020

Travel problems top list of COVID-19-related reports

New figures released today show COVID-19-related consumer reports make up the majority of the 109,446 complaints the ACCC received in the first ten months of this year. This is an ACCC Media Release. The impact of COVID-19 on consumers and fair trading report reveals the pandemic’s impact on travel resulted in 24,210 complaints to the ACCC,…

24 November , 2020

122 organisations join together to oppose Government’s plan to axe safe lending laws

The Consumers’ Federation of Australia has joined organisations and prominent individuals nation-wide in an open letter calling for Senators to block the weakening of safe lending laws. The following is a CHOICE media release. Axing safe lending laws will be bad for people, bad for the economy and directly contradict the first recommendation of the…

11 November , 2020

CFA joins the EveryAGE Counts national coalition to end ageism

Consumers’ Federation of Australia is excited to have become a member of the EveryAGE Counts national coalition to end ageism. We are now a proud member of this diverse and growing coalition of organisations and individuals committed to achieving this important shift in the way we understand and experience growing older. By joining the coalition,…

10 November , 2020

Pathetic purifiers, Harvey Norman’s credit card traps and cleaners worse than water: Shonkys 2020

Australia’s leading consumer advocate has announced the recipients of the 15th annual CHOICE Shonkys. “In the sixtieth year of CHOICE, it’s fitting that the 2020 Shonkys uncover and call out practices from companies taking advantage of their customers,” says CHOICE CEO Alan Kirkland. “Whether it’s complex financial products designed to trap people in debt or…

9 November , 2020

ACCC releases multilanguage information to help grocery shoppers save money

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published information written in English and 16 other languages to help grocery shoppers get better value for money. The information is in a 2 page Fact Sheet “Saving Money Buying Groceries – How Unit Pricing Helps”. The 16 other languages are: Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, Dinka, German,…

2 November , 2020

ASIC commences proceedings against ACBF Funeral Plans and Youpla Group concerning funeral expenses insurance

ASIC has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against ACBF Funeral Plans Pty Ltd (ACBF Funeral Plans) and Youpla Group Pty Ltd (Youpla Group) for alleged contraventions of the ASIC Act. ACBF Funeral Plans, a wholly owned subsidiary of Youpla Group, offered, promoted and sold the Aboriginal Community Funeral Plan (ACF Plan), a funeral expenses…

30 October , 2020

Productivity Commission Inquiry into Right to Repair

The Morrison Government yesterday released terms of reference for the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into the Right to Repair in Australia. Consumers, or third parties, can face challenges repairing products that develop faults or require maintenance, due to a lack of access to necessary tools, parts or diagnostic software. According to MobileMuster, 33 per cent of…

12 October , 2020

Australian Association of National Advertisers Launches new Code of Ethics

Following an extensive public review process, the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) can now announce the new advertising Code of Ethics which will take effect from 1 February 2021. The AANA Code of Ethics applies to all advertising in Australia and the review sought to ensure that the Code continued to meet its objective…

22 September , 2020

CFA welcomes start of a national education campaign to help grocery shoppers get better value for money

The consumer peak body, the Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA), strongly welcomes the start of a new national consumer education campaign aimed at increasing grocery shopper awareness and use of the unit prices provided on shelf labels and the internet by many grocery retailers. The campaign is being run by the national and state/territory consumer…