Regulator news and government inquiries - 2/45 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

26 September , 2018

New appointments to telco consumer forum

Eight new members have joined the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Consumer Consultative Forum (CCF) to provide information and advice on telecommunications issues affecting Australians. The organisations appointed are: Consumer Policy Research Centre Country Womens’ Association of Australia Deaf Australia Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia LegalAid NSW NSW Business Chamber South Australian Council of…

21 September , 2018

ACMA’s telco rules finalised

The ACMA’s final set of rules to improve the experience for consumers moving to services delivered over the National Broadband Network (NBN) commence today. ‘The ACMA has been working hard on behalf of consumers to address issues of concern before we reach the peak rollout period for the NBN,’ said ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin. Over…

13 September , 2018

Competition Policy and Human Services: Where Theory Meets Practice

CHOICE and ACOSS’ research report Competition Policy and Human Services: Where Theory Meets Practice was released on Thursday 13th September 2018. The report assessed two areas of human service where various combinations of choice, contestability and competition have been significant in recent years – vocational education and training (VET) and employment services. It examined outcomes achieved,…

29 August , 2018

New gambling ad rules kick in for online content service providers

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has approved new rules restricting gambling advertising during live sport streamed online. The Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018 prohibit gambling advertising during live sport that is streamed online between 5.00 am and 8.30 pm. At all other times, gambling advertising is also restricted. The ACMA developed the rules…

22 August , 2018

Half of all Australian homes affected by unsafe products

Faulty products continue to cause serious injury and harm to thousands of Australians, with more than 4.5 million items recalled by suppliers in the 2017-18 financial year. New figures show at least 10 people a day are injured and require medical attention as a result of unsafe products, according to mandatory reports provided to the…

15 August , 2018

Lobbyists beat the battlers on payday loans and rent-to-buy

The Federal Government is letting the worst and most harmful financial products in the community run wild, according to consumer advocates. It’s now one year, eight months, one week and fifteen days since the Government accepted recommendations to reform laws governing payday loans and consumer leases. Despite committing to bringing the reforms to Parliament by…

24 July , 2018

Disappointing Report Card on Telco Customer Service

Peak communications consumer group, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), has released a report, called Can You Hear Me?, on the customer service provided by 10 telco providers. Major findings are that consumers are unimpressed by the amount of time they spend getting a resolution to a telco issue. It takes an average of 13…

23 July , 2018

ACMA finalises new telco rules for NBN migration

A final set of new rules requiring telcos to help their customers move smoothly to the National Broadband Network (NBN) was released today by the ACMA. ‘These new rules will give consumers greater confidence that their telco will make sure their new NBN service will work as expected and provide options if their connection doesn’t…

20 July , 2018

Telephone number loss an issue for consumers and small business

A new report highlighting the issue of phone number loss when migrating to the National Broadband Network (NBN) is recommending greater action by phone companies – including better communication with consumers and small businesses. Residential consumers and small businesses generally expect to retain their existing phone numbers when moving between providers or to the NBN.…

18 July , 2018

Cots and strollers consistently failing CHOICE lab tests

CHOICE is calling for urgent reform to Australia’s product safety system as analysis shows children’s products consistently fail CHOICE lab tests for voluntary and mandatory safety standards. “From portable cots that fail suffocation tests to strollers with finger traps, safety failures are so routine it’s clear that manufacturers are not prioritising safety,” says CHOICE Head…

12 July , 2018

Consumer advocates welcome ACCC Final Report on electricity market

Consumer advocates have welcomed the findings of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Retail Electricity Pricing Inquiry Final Report, released yesterday. Energy Consumers Australia Acting CEO Lynne Gallagher said the final report confirms what consumers have been saying: that the electricity market is not working as it should and not delivering good value for…

11 July , 2018

Clear sugar labelling on the table

CHOICE welcomes the Federal Government’s options paper on added sugar today which includes options for strong measures for sugar labelling like visual labelling of teaspoons of sugar on sugar-sweetened beverages. “For years CHOICE has been calling for added sugar labelling and it’s great to see the Federal Government putting forward options that will allow Australians…