Consumers' Federation of Australia

10 October , 2018

World Standards Day 2018 “International standards and the 4th industrial revolution”

World Standards Day is celebrated on the 14 October each year – to raise awareness about the importance of standards and pay tribute to the thousands of experts worldwide who help develop the voluntary agreements that are published as international standards, read more here. Just as standards were crucial during the first industrial revolution, over 250…

10 October , 2018

Trampoline Parks and Injuries

A lot of people do not realise how significant injuries can be while having fun at a Trampoline Park – read more here. Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA) representative, John Furbank is on the Standards Australia Technical Committee SF-051 which has developed part 1 of a new Australian Standard on trampoline parks. Speak up for Australians by participating…

10 October , 2018

Coming clean on kickbacks with better business reforms

Businesses that make product and service recommendations will be forced to come clean on commissions, referral fees and kickbacks under new Better Business Reforms. Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean said it would put buying power back in the hands of consumers and small businesses. “Consumers are increasingly relying on referrals from third…

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…

4 October , 2018

2018 Shonkys winners revealed

The Commonwealth Bank, KitchenAid, Nutri-Grain and Marriott Vacation Club are among the big brands whose bad behavior has earned them a lemon gong at the 13th annual CHOICE Shonkys. “From cots that put our kids’ lives at risk, to a bank that buys its way into our schools and the toaster that leaves your bread…

3 October , 2018

Codes of Practice – Consumers benefit

The following is a guest post by The Code Compliance and Monitoring team, a separately operated and funded business unit of the Financial Ombudsman Service. Unfair treatment of customers by institutions has been under the spotlight at the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry. Beyond the Commission, however, consumer protection…

26 September , 2018

Energy Network Consumer Engagement Award – Applications invited

2018 Annual Energy Network Consumer Engagement Award recognises network businesses that made significant effort to engage with consumers and improve outcomes for households and small businesses. This award recognises leadership in the design, development and application of a ground-breaking Australian energy network initiative, technology, service, or solution. It may apply to asset management, distributed energy…

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…

25 September , 2018

Busy start for life insurance compliance body

The Life Code Compliance Committee has released its inaugural Annual Report today. A copy of the accompanying media release can be found here. The Committee independently monitors subscribing insurers’ compliance with good industry practice, as set out in the Life Insurance Code of Practice (the Code). The Committee’s key purpose is to help…

24 September , 2018

IT Service management standards improve business processes and decision making

Improving customer service, productivity and efficiency are just a few of the many benefits of a service management system. ISO has updated two standards in its service management series, with new features, topics and tips from the top. Read more here. Consumers Federation of Australia has a representative on the Standards Australia Technical Committee IT-030…

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…

19 September , 2018

COTA welcomes Royal Commission into aged care but warns against delaying reforms

Peak older persons advocate, COTA Australia, today welcomed the Royal Commission into aged care for the spotlight it will throw on the challenges facing aged care over the next two decades, but warned it must not delay significant reforms now underway and in the wings to improve safety and quality standards for the 1.3 million…