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There has been a 66% increase in the number of cases the Small Business Debt Helpline (SBDH) has dealt with over the past 12 months. In 2024 SBDH financial counsellors had 5,135 cases compared with 3,091 in 2023. Case numbers continue to grow with more than 400 cases in January 2025, that’s 30% more than…

Read More The Small Business Debt Helpline sees a massive increase in case numbers

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Consumer groups welcome BNPL Regulations but sound the alarm over last-minute fee increaseLeading consumer groups have sounded the alarm over a last-minute increase to certain fees under the Federal Government’s proposal to regulate Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL). The BNPL Draft Regulations 2025 will see the introduction of long-overdue consumer protections which will make the…

Read More Advocates alarmed by last-minute fee increases to BNPL Regulations

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Rental assistance needs to be urgently increased to ensure that Australia’s retirees are not living in poverty, COTA Australia says. The call follows a Grattan Institute report released today which shows that two in three retirees who rent in the private market live below the poverty line. COTA Australia – the leading advocacy organisation for…

Read More Urgent increase in rent assistance necessary to lift retirees out of poverty

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Consumer advocates say the passing of the Scams Prevention Framework (SPF) fills a gaping hole in the law and in time should protect many Australians from falling victim to the scourge of scams. But thousands of future victims -many of whom will lose everything to sophisticated scams- have an uphill battle for redress. “I am…

Read More Advocates welcome scam laws, but highlight need for reimbursement

Consumers' Federation of Australia Developing and promoting the consumer interest

The Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) urgently calls on the Australian government to fund its work as the peak body for consumers in the forthcoming budget.   For over 50 years, Consumers’ Federation of Australia has been a vital safeguard against corporate misconduct, ensuring fair treatment and protections for consumers.   The peak body for consumer organisations,…

Read More Consumers’ Federation of Australia on life-support, urges government action to protect consumers during cost-of-living crisis

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The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) is looking for a new member to join their Car Rental Code Compliance Committee (CCC) as a consumer representative. This is a particularly important consumer representative opportunity as the AFIA Car Rental Code of Practice has recently been comprehensively updated and will be applicable from April 1st of this…

Read More Consumer representative wanted for the Car Rental Code Compliance Committee

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Criminals commit cybercrime by using a computer or online network to target victims. Anyone can be a victim of cybercrime, from individuals and businesses to government, with far reaching consequences. On average, a new cybercrime incident is reported in Australia every six minutes. Ransomware alone results in up to $3 billion in annual damages to the Australian…

Read More Cybersecurity – Safeguarding Australia’s future

SCAM ALERT

This is a joint media release between the AFP, National Anti-Scam Centre, Philippines Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and National Bureau of Investigation Editor’s note: Text message screenshot, images from investigation, and audio grabs from AFP Commander Graeme Marshall are available via Hightail Authorities have texted more than 5000 potential victims in Australia to warn they may…

Read More Joint media release from Australian and Philippines authorities as over 5,000 Australians receive text warnings over a romance scam

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ACCAN – Australia’s peak national communications consumer body – has hailed the Federal Government’s strengthening of enforcement powers a major win for telecommunications consumers. ACCAN’s CEO, Carol Bennett, said the reforms will promote increased accountability, transparency and compliance within the telecommunications industry, and contribute towards improving trust in telcos which has been eroding. “This announcement…

Read More Stronger Enforcement Powers a Major Win for Telco Consumers

News

This is a joint submission made on behalf of:• Consumer Action Law Centre• CHOICE• The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network• Financial Rights Legal Centre• Super Consumers Australia• Financial Counselling Australia• Westjustice• Consumer Credit Legal Service WA Our organisations are pleased to have the opportunity to provide our feedback to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee. We…

Read More Joint Submission Urges Law Reform and Mandatory Industry Action

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The ACCC is urging consumers to shop around or at least to contact their electricity provider to ask if a cheaper electricity plan is available, following a decline in retail electricity prices in 2024 that many households are not currently benefiting from. More than 80 per cent of Australian households in the National Electricity Network…

Read More Electricity Inquiry finds no reward for loyalty