A pile of plastic cups in landfill A pile of plastic cups in landfill

It’s a well-known fact that the rise in consumerism and disposable products is choking and exhausting our planet. Before we reach the day where there is more plastic in the sea than fish, something has to be done to ebb the flow. According to the World Economic Forum, moving towards a circular economy is the key, and a ‘trillion-dollar…

Read More Circular economy the key to tackling resource depletion and pollution

Denim jean pocket holding four credit cards Denim jean pocket holding four credit cards

“Stand strong against industry pressure” is the message from CHOICE CEO Alan Kirkland following Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s announcement this morning about how the government will implement the Banking Royal Commission recommendations.  “Today the Treasurer has outlined how the government will make sure that banks, insurers and mortgage brokers act fairly and provide services that…

Read More CHOICE responds to Treasurer’s Royal Commission road map announcement

A gold watch on a table with button batteries scattered around the watch A gold watch on a table with button batteries scattered around the watch

The ACCC has established a Button Battery Taskforce to investigate ways to reduce risk to the Australian community, particularly children, of button batteries. In Australia two children have died in the past six years after swallowing a button battery, and hundreds of children suspected of swallowing button batteries have ended up in hospital emergency rooms.…

Read More Taskforce to investigate stronger button battery safety

Black computer screen reading 'security' in blue with cursor hovering over word

Australians are set to lose a record amount to scams in 2019, with projections from losses reported to Scamwatch and other government agencies so far expected to exceed $532 million by the end of the year, surpassing half a billion dollars for the first time. This year’s National Scams Awareness Week (12-16 August) theme is “too smart…

Read More Record losses expected as scammers target Australians

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The ACCC is inviting interested parties to comment on the Humane Farm Animal Care’s application to register a certification trademark (CTM) in Australia. The CTM intends to certify that animal derived products bearing the mark have complied with a range of Humane Farm Animal Care’s livestock and poultry welfare standards.  The mark bears the words…

Read More Humane Farm Animal Care application to register a CTM: invitation to comment

Elderly adult holding telephone to ear Elderly adult holding telephone to ear

Threats of being disconnected from phone and internet services, loss of phone numbers, and inaccurate information about NBN plans are issues highlighted in the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman’s latest report: “Misleading telemarketing of NBN services” published Thursday 1 August, 2019. Between January and December 2018, residential consumers and small businesses made 1,729 complaints to the Telecommunications…

Read More Investigation finds telemarketers pressuring consumers to sign up to NBN

Red letterbox Red letterbox

Consumer protection regulators are running a national campaign to help consumers avoid paying extra fees to receive bills in the post. People who prefer to receive paper bills are usually seniors, consumers on a low income, or people without internet access, which means that vulnerable consumers end up paying extra just to pay their bills.…

Read More How to stop paying fees for bills you receive in the mail

A yellow road sign with black writing that reads "bankruptcy" A yellow road sign with black writing that reads "bankruptcy"

CFA member Nicola Howell (PhD researcher, Melbourne Law School and Senior Lecturer at QUT) is researching the impact of financial difficulty assistance, bankruptcy and debt agreements on consumer debtors. A better understanding of how people experience the different options, and whether they improve the lives of debtors in the short and long term, can help…

Read More Researching the impact of financial difficulty assistance: Request for participation

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The COAG Energy Council Working Group is consulting with industry and community to develop a national hydrogen strategy. Building on earlier engagement, the issues papers are seeking feedback on the potential role of policies and actions in realising hydrogen opportunities. Submissions close 28 July 2019.  Issues papers and more details here. A list of the issues papers and a brief…

Read More National Hydrogen Strategy Issues papers – Consultation

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Financial Rights Legal Centre (Financial Rights), Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) and Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) have welcomed the Australian Securities and Investment Commission’s (ASIC’s) announcement that it will consult on using new Product Intervention Powers to intervene in the short term credit industry. The new product intervention power allows ASIC to intervene where…

Read More Consumer advocates welcome ASIC intervention in Short Term Credit Market

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The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) report released today confirms that consumer credit insurance, commonly tacked on when taking out a loan or credit card, is junk.  This news comes as Australians demand over $2 million worth of refunds after being ripped off by junk insurance through Consumer Action’s DemandARefund tool.   ASIC’s report…

Read More Regulator slams ‘junk insurance’ sold by banks as Aussies demand over $2 million in refunds