Consumers' Federation of Australia

13 December , 2024

Just Transition to Sustainable Living to be the focus of the international consumer movement

The past decade has been the warmest on record, and extreme weather has become routine in many nations, disrupting lives and livelihoods. At the same time, biodiversity loss and pollution are posing a growing threat to planetary and human health. It is increasingly clear that the impact of these crises is not just environmental, but economic and social too and is undermining progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To remain within planetary boundaries, we will need…

12 December , 2024

Bar and Accounting Professional Standards Schemes Open for Comment and Submissions

Public comment and submission is now open for the Victorian Bar, Western Australian Bar, and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand’s proposed Professional Standards Schemes. A professional standards scheme is a legal instrument that limits the occupational liability or damages that can be awarded against a member of the association to whom a scheme applies.…

10 December , 2024

Community Advocates Welcome Government Report on Financial Abuse

Today (5 December) the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services will release its long-awaited report from the inquiry into the Financial Services Regulatory Framework in Relation to Financial Abuse, which commenced in April 2024. Members of the Economic Abuse Reference Group, a national network of over 50 community organisations that work with government…

10 December , 2024

Australian Consumers Now Have a Voice at the NBN Table

Consumers will now have a voice at the table to determine how the NBN can better serve the needs of communities around Australia thanks to a $2.56 million funding grant from the Australian Government to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). As the peak communications consumer body, ACCAN’s new funding will allow it to…

6 December , 2024

Review Finds Systemic Failures in Insurers’ Internal Dispute Resolution

Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has welcomed an ASIC report calling on Australia’s insurers to improve their complaints handling processes. “We are disappointed but not surprised.?The findings from ASIC’s review of insurance complaints handling mirrors the experience of many financial counsellors supporting their clients through the claims process,” said Vicki Staff, FCA’s insurance expert. ASIC’s review of…

6 December , 2024

Consultation Opens for New Digital Competition Reform in Australia

The ACCC has welcomed today’s start of consultation by the Australian Government on the implementation of a new digital competition regime in Australia. The consultation comes after the Government’s in-principle agreement to competition reforms recommended by the ACCC to address harms caused by digital platforms. “This is an important opportunity for consumers, businesses and other interested parties…

4 December , 2024

International Volunteer Day – December 5 2024

International Volunteer Day (IVD) is a global celebration highlighting the vital role volunteers play in addressing the world’s challenges and highlights the power of volunteering to strengthen communities and create positive change. Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA) uses the opportunity to acknowledge and shine a light on the important work of volunteers. CFA depends on the…

3 December , 2024

Banking Code Compliance Committee 2025-26 Priorities Consultation

The Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) is developing their priorities for 2025-26 and is inviting interested parties to complete a short survey to share “new or emerging risks, issues or practices that you believe are concerns and causing harm to consumers or leading to poor outcomes”. The survey is open from 2/12/2024 to 7/02/2025 and survey…

3 December , 2024

New Centrepay Reform Bans Predatory Rent-to-Buy’s in Win for Consumers and Advocates

Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Stephanie Tonkin said she was absolutely delighted that Minister Bill Shorten has announced consumer protections and reforms to Centrepay that restore it to its original purpose; that it should only be used by consumers to make regular voluntary payments for essential bills and expenses. (link to media release) “We have…

2 December , 2024

ICAN Launches ‘Get emPOWERed!’ Competition through Yarnin’ Energy Program

ICAN’s Yarnin’ Energy team launched a ‘Get emPOWERed!’ competition on Monday the 11th of November. The competition has been designed to engage people to participate in the coaching component of our Yarnin’ Energy program. “The first fifty people to book and attend an appointment with one of our Yarnin’ Energy Mentors will receive a FREE Energy…

2 December , 2024

Interim Authorisation for Flights and Marketing for Doha to Australia Granted by ACCC

The ACCC has granted interim authorisation to Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways, allowing them to engage in cooperative conduct under an integrated alliance. The ACCC has also accepted a court enforceable undertaking from Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways in relation to the conduct. Under the interim authorisation, Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways can commence marketing and selling…

26 November , 2024

Child-Resistant Packaging – Draft Standard Open for Public Comment

Child-resistant packaging is used to create a physical barrier between a child and a potentially hazardous product. Various types of packaging are recognized as being child-resistant, based on performance testing against standards for specific product categories and packaging types. Since this type of packaging was introduced, the incidence of accidental ingestion of potentially hazardous products…