SCAM ALERT

The National Anti-Scam Centre is warning Australians that criminals are impersonating charities and offering fake financial assistance schemes to target people experiencing financial hardship.  No Interest Loan Schemes are offered by trusted charities such as Good Shepherd and the Salvation Army and are intended to support low-income earners and people in hardship who are experiencing…

Read More People in Hardship Targeted in Criminal Financial Assistance Scams

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The metaverse is a collective virtual shared space, where you can socialise, collaborate, learn, and play with others across different digital worlds. The metaverse may offer new opportunities for creativity, education, entertainment, and commerce, but there are also new challenges where metaverse technologies can have a significant impact on young users’ mental health and well-being. Children…

Read More Children’s safety in the metaverse – Draft standard open for Public Comment

TIME for CHANGE

The two major consumer protections announced today -the ban on unfair trading and consultation on penalties for breaches by traders and service providers of the consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law- will help create a fairer marketplace for all Australians. That’s the verdict of Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Stephanie Tonkin who welcomed the announcement from…

Read More Consumer Advocates Welcome Government Announcement on Unfair Trading and Consultations

Shared vision for a better world; Standards for SDGs, World Standards Day 14 October, IEC, ISO, ITU

Shared vision for a better world: Spotlight on SDG 9 Industry, innovation, and infrastructure in the age of AI Standards are voluntary technical agreements that impact almost every part of our daily lives. They ensure that products and services work the way that we expect them to, making life safer and easier. There’s a role…

Read More World Standards Day 14 October 2024

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Consumer group CHOICE has welcomed the Federal Government’s plans to strengthen unit pricing by reviewing the rules and introducing strong penalties for non-compliance.  Quotes attributable to Deputy Director of Campaigns, Andy Kelly: “CHOICE welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement to improve the rules around grocery unit pricing. Currently, supermarkets can’t be penalised for poor unit pricing and…

Read More CHOICE Welcomes Federal Government’s Announcement to Strengthen Unit Pricing Rules

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A broad coalition of consumer advocates is calling for the Albanese Government to make one fundamental change to the proposed Scams Prevention Framework (SPF) and put reimbursement at its core, warning that without this improvement the SPF is not going to work for the tens of thousands of Australia’s robbed by scammers. The group’s call…

Read More Advocates Warn Scams Prevention Framework Needs Assumption of Reimbursement, Not Halfway Measures

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Consumer Action Law Centre Acting Director of Policy and Campaigns Luke Lovell said the new protections for telco customers experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV) announced today by Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, show real progress, as they will provide support to victim-survivors and their families when most in need. “Thank you, Minister Rowland, this…

Read More Advocates Welcome Stronger Protections for Telco Consumers Experiencing Domestic and Family Violence

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Ageism Awareness Day founded by EveryAGE Counts is a reminder to all Australians that ageism is still rife within the Australian community. Ageism has a direct adverse impact on the lives of many Australians in such areas as aged care, provision of health services and employment and is a contributing factor to elder abuse. Ageism Awareness Day…

Read More Ageism Awareness Day – 9 October 2024

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A report from the Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman (TIO) of a 14.6% reduction in consumer complaints over the past year is unlikely to be an indication of improved satisfaction with communications services.  The reduction in complaints is more likely to indicate that telco consumers are increasingly giving up on the complaints process. Over 50% of consumers…

Read More Advocates Warn that Telco Complaint Reduction a Sign of Consumers Giving Up on Process

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The Justice and Equity Centre welcomes the passing of the Australian Human Rights Commission Amendment (Costs Protection) Bill 2023, which establishes an ‘equal access’ costs model for federal discrimination law claims. This is a reform we proposed with our partners at Grata Fund, to improve access to justice for people who have endured sexual harassment or discrimination…

Read More Advocates Welcome Establishment of ‘equal access’ Costs Model for Federal Discrimination Law Claims

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The ACCC is seeking views on a proposed court-enforceable undertaking offered by Sigma Healthcare Limited (ASX: SIG) in relation to its proposed acquisition of Chemist Warehouse Group Holdings. Sigma is one of the largest wholesalers of prescription medicines, over the counter and front of store products. Sigma is also a franchisor of pharmacies under banners…

Read More ACCC seeks Consultation on Potential Competition Concerns with Sigma/Chemist Warehouse Acquisition