Regulator news - Consumers' Federation of Australia

5 November , 2018

Convertible tricycle strollers – have your say

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…

20 October , 2018

ACCC & ASIC given stronger powers over unfair contract terms

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…

17 October , 2018

CFA Webinar Series Commencing October 30th

CFA’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…

8 October , 2018

Telstra breaches priority assistance obligations

The ACMA has directed Telstra to commission an independent audit of compliance with its priority assistance obligations for customers with life-threatening medical conditions. Telstra must also implement a range of systems, processes and reporting to assure the future reliability and effectiveness of priority assistance. The remedial direction results from an investigation into Telstra following two incidents in 2017, where…

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…