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“Given energy prices on the rise while the cost of solar power systems declines, it’s little wonder that almost one in four Australian households are using some form of solar power,” says CHOICE spokesperson Nicky Breen. “Interest in solar is growing with more than 750,000 solar power systems installed across the country in the last…
Read More Where to start with solar
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The Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition has again called for the Australian Government to introduce much needed reforms to underpin the delivery of telecommunications services across Australia. The RRRCC repeated its call when responding to the government’s proposals, flagged in a Department of Communications and the Arts consultation paper, which focuses on the reliability…
Read More Regional coalition repeats call for reform to telecoms services
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The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) welcomes today’s release of the Federal Government’s report on Complaints Handling and Consumer Redress in the telecommunications industry. As Australia’s peak body representing telecommunications consumers, ACCAN has argued that better regulation in telecommunications is needed to safeguard the interests of consumers. The Government’s report acknowledges this need. “We…
Read More ACCAN welcomes new complaint powers for telco customers
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Gift card users may be unfairly penalised for querying charges if proposed regulations go ahead. The Federal Government is consulting on draft legislation which would permit the charging of post-supply fees and fees for disputing transactions. CFA supports the submission made by member organisation, the Queensland Consumers’ Association (QCA), calling for disputed card fees or charges…
Read More Proposed fees for gift card users
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Recent surveillance activities by the ACCC have identified many convertible tricycle strollers did not have important safety features such as brakes, appropriate harnesses, tether straps or suitable warnings required under the standard. There are a wide variety of tricycles currently for sale in the market. Some tricycles closely resemble a traditional tricycle (sometimes with a…
Read More Convertible tricycle strollers – have your say
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Like natural gas, hydrogen can be used to heat buildings and power vehicles. Unlike natural gas or petrol, when hydrogen is burned there are no CO2 emissions. The only by-products are water vapour and heat. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, not freely available as a gas on Earth but bound into…
Read More Hydrogen – A fuel for the 21st century
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) will have investigative powers to assess whether a term in a standard form contract may be unfair, thanks to measures passed in the Parliament by the Coalition Government yesterday. This means the regulators will have stronger powers to ensure consumers…
Read More ACCC & ASIC given stronger powers over unfair contract termsCFA’s new quarterly webinar series will commence on Tuesday 30th October at 2pm with special guest Erin Turner, Director of Campaigns & Communications at CHOICE. Erin will be presenting on Insights from the International Consumer Movement, having recently attended an event with Consumers’ International for Directors of Advocacy and Campaigns. This webinar will cover learnings from other consumer advocacy organisations, primarily those…
Read More CFA Webinar Series Commencing October 30th
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The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has published its 2017-2018 Annual Report today (17 October 2018). Launching the report, Ombudsman Judi Jones said, “The number of complaints about telecommunications services in Australia appear to be turning a corner. “Declining complaints across all landline, mobile and internet services are a positive indicator of recent industry, government and regulator efforts…
Read More Phone and internet complaints turning a corner
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We stand on the brink of a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live, work, and relate to one another. In its scale, scope, and complexity, the transformation will be unlike anything humankind has experienced before. We do not yet know just how it will unfold, but one thing is clear: the…
Read More 4th Industrial Revolution – how does this affect me?
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World Standards Day is celebrated on the 14 October each year – to raise awareness about the importance of standards and pay tribute to the thousands of experts worldwide who help develop the voluntary agreements that are published as international standards, read more here. Just as standards were crucial during the first industrial revolution, over 250…
Read More World Standards Day 2018 “International standards and the 4th industrial revolution”
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A lot of people do not realise how significant injuries can be while having fun at a Trampoline Park – read more here. Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA) representative, John Furbank is on the Standards Australia Technical Committee SF-051 which has developed part 1 of a new Australian Standard on trampoline parks. Speak up for Australians by participating…
Read More Trampoline Parks and Injuries