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  The Turnbull Government has released the terms of reference for a review into consumer safeguards in the telecommunications sector. The review will be undertaken in three parts: 1. Ensuring that consumers have access to an effective complaints handling and redress scheme that provides transparency and holds telcos accountable for their performance. 2.     Ensuring consumers…

Read More Government announces telecommunications Consumer Safeguards Review

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The following is an edited extract of the 2018 Ruby Hutchison Memorial Lecture, presented by Fiona Guthrie AM, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Counselling Australia. The annual lecture is a CHOICE and ACCC co-project. Queensland’s Courier Mail recently ran a front-page story about payday loans. It told the story of Trina Begg, a single mother of…

Read More Fiona Guthrie AM presents 2018 Ruby Hutchison Memorial Lecture

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The ACCC has today published the final report of its communications sector market study, which includes 28 recommendations and actions on competition and consumer issues. Much has changed since the ACCC published its draft report in October 2017. Since then, the ACCC has secured eight court-enforceable undertakings from various internet service providers on NBN speeds,…

Read More ACCC finalises report on communications market

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A new Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) intelligence sweep of telco websites has found the overwhelming majority of telcos are complying with rules to provide Critical Information Summaries (CIS) to their customers. ‘CIS provide important information to consumers when making a choice between the plans offered by different telcos,’ said ACMA Chair, Nerida O’Loughlin. ‘Consumers can find this…

Read More Telcos make a good start in providing critical information on NBN offers

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Commonwealth Ombudsman Michael Manthorpe today released a report into Australia Post complaints regarding carding, Safe Drop and compensation. The report reviews the actions taken by Australia Post since the release of three earlier Ombudsman reports concerning these matters. The report seeks to determine why complaints about delivery issues persist despite Australia Post’s reported service and…

Read More Complaints persist as Australia Post fails to deliver

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Consumer Action Law Centre, CHOICE and NSW Legal Aid today published submissions in response to the first round of hearings before the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Finance Sector on consumer lending and add-on insurance. Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) argues in its submission that directors of the big banks may…

Read More Consumer Groups call for tougher penalties, ban on broker commissions in submissions to Royal Commission

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ACCAN welcomes the release of the first round of results from the ACCC’s Measuring Broadband Australia speed monitoring program, and its generally positive findings. ‘We’ve long been calling for the independent monitoring of broadband speeds so consumers know what they’re likely to be getting when they buy a service. We’re strongly supportive of the ACCC’s…

Read More ACCAN welcomes ACCC’s first NBN speed test results

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The Australian Parliament’s Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee today presented its Report on the Inquiry into the Use and Marketing of Electronic Cigarettes and Personal Vaporisers in Australia. The inquiry considered the possible health impacts of E-cigarette use, international approaches to regulating E-cigarettes and the appropriate regulatory framework for Australia. The Chair of the…

Read More Inquiry into the Use and Marketing of Electronic Cigarettes and Personal Vaporisers in Australia