CHOICE

An apple on a pile of school books An apple on a pile of school books

Corporate regulator slams banks’ school marketing schemes as CHOICE calls on State and Territory Education Ministers to ditch Dollarmites. This is a CHOICE Media Release “CHOICE welcomes ASIC’s comprehensive review into school banking programs. This is the first time ever in over a century that these school-based marketing schemes have been reviewed,” says CHOICE CEO…

Read More “Nothing more than marketing schemes”: CHOICE on ASIC’s review of school marketing programs

Beach huts on the sand Beach huts on the sand

Consumer advocate CHOICE has released a statement in response to ASIC’s updated regulatory guide on time-sharing schemes, stating that ASIC has failed to clean up the harmful timeshare industry. The following is a CHOICE media release. “ASIC’s new rules for timeshare schemes have failed to protect consumers. ASIC has taken years to assess the regulations…

Read More “Failed to protect consumers”: CHOICE on ASIC’s timeshare regulations

Photo by Francesco Cantinelli on Unsplash

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…

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

A gold credit card A gold credit card

Removing credit protections will cause harm to people and the economy  CHOICE, Consumer Action Law Centre, Financial Counselling Australia and Financial Rights Legal Centre have responded to the Government’s announcement that it will remove credit protections for borrowers saying right now what people need is more income, not more debt. Government’s proposed reforms will remove bank responsibility…

Read More Consumer groups slam move to remove responsible lending laws

Cadbury chocolate bars Cadbury chocolate bars

Consumers’ Federation of Australia member CHOICE has priced national brand groceries at Coles, Woolwoths and Aldi. Read CHOICE’s article to see where to find products for the cheapest price and how to use unit pricing to check which pack size ofers the best value for money. Our price survey found that products from national brands…

Read More Cadbury, Coca Cola, Colgate. Which supermarket is cheapest for national brands?

Hands opening an empty brown leather wallet Hands opening an empty brown leather wallet

Today’s announcement by the banking industry of further assistance to help customers experiencing financial hardship will provide some important relief to those who continue to be impacted by COVID-19.  CHOICE, Financial Rights Legal Centre, Consumer Action Law Centre and Financial Counselling Australia are at the forefront of helping people impacted by COVID-19, particularly people doing…

Read More Banks Announcement of Further Assistance for Customers a Timely Relief: Consumer Groups

and hand pumping hand sanitiser from a bottle and hand pumping hand sanitiser from a bottle

Consumer advocate CHOICE has written to the Victorian Consumer Affairs Minister Marlene Kairouz with proposed legislation to stop price gouging on essentials during a crisis. “The past few months have shown us that in a crisis, consumer protections for Australians are the first thing to go.” says Amy Pereira, CHOICE Campaigner. “We need strong protections…

Read More CHOICE calls for urgent price gouging legislation to protect Victorians in future crises

A gold credit card A gold credit card

Consumer advocate CHOICE is urging Australian banks to go further in their response to COVID-19, flagging that many Australians are still being harmed by high cost credit cards, personal loans and long term debt. “We welcome that many banks have announced initial support packages for customers but we know they can go further. We have…

Read More “Banks need to go further on their coronavirus response”: CHOICE

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Consumer advocate says Lifetime Health Cover Loading should be suspended in light of COVID-19 financial pressures Consumer advocate CHOICE is calling on the Federal Government to suspend consumer penalties for not taking up private health insurance in light of the COVID-19 crisis. The advocacy group says the Government should add an extra 365 days to…

Read More “Penalties for not taking up private health cover must be suspended”: CHOICE

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Price gouging during the coronavirus crisis has been rampant. We’re calling on sellers big and small as well as online platforms to cease and desist.  CHOICE article. Last updated 20 March 2020. It may surprise you to learn that price gouging – jacking up prices for essential goods when supplies are low – is technically…

Read More CHOICE calls on sellers and online platforms to put an end to price gouging