Consumers' Federation of Australia

7 February , 2018

Consumer Action Law Centre: Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Finance Sector, part 2

Consumer Action Law Centre has published part 2 of its submission to the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Finance Sector. The submission draws on the experience of the Centre assisting Victorians through legal advice and representation, and financial counselling. The submission identifies various drivers of misconduct or conduct falling below community standards and expectations,…

6 February , 2018

ACCC releases guidance on free range egg standard

The ACCC has today released guidance for egg producers on its approach to enforcing the new National Information Standard on free range eggs, which comes into effect on 26 April 2018. Under the new Standard, egg producers cannot use the words ‘free range’ on their egg cartons unless the eggs were laid by hens that:…

31 January , 2018

Christmas retailers with most consumer complaints revealed

The Christmas retailers’ naughty list has been revealed in the latest NSW Fair Trading Complaints Register, Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said yesterday. Kogan, Samsung Electronics and online ticket reseller Viagogo claimed the top spots with 27 complaints each, followed by The Good Guys with 18, Apple and Harvey Norman with 16 each, and…

24 January , 2018

Electric car revolution gains momentum, but will it last the distance?

Electric cars might finally be having their moment in Australia – as costs fall, Australia will inevitably see an electric car revolution. Surveys show up to half of Australian motorists would consider going electric the next time they buy a car however the most important factor that affects consumers’ decision to buy an electric car…

24 January , 2018

Consumer Action Law Centre: Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Finance Sector, part 1

Consumer Action Law Centre has published part 1 of its initial submission to the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Finance Sector today. The submission draws on the experience of the Centre assisting Victorians through legal advice and representation, and financial counselling. The submission identifies various kinds of misconduct by financial services,…

22 January , 2018

Mobile photography business enters into enforceable undertaking over alleged ACL breach

A Queensland Office of Fair Trading (QOFT) investigation has seen a Gold Coast business enter into an enforceable undertaking for alleged breaches of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). Between 1 July 2015 and 31 October 2017, Imagine That Photography Pty Ltd, a mobile photography business trading from major shopping centres around Australia, entered into agreements…

21 January , 2018

Consumer group Choice calls for mandatory safety standards for trampolines

Republished from The Age, 19 January 2018 A five-year-old boy had his finger amputated after it was trapped in a trampoline, a 10-year-old girl hurt her back on a rail while playing a jumping game called “crack the egg”, and a three-year-old boy fell to the ground and fractured his leg. Those are among the…

4 January , 2018

Consumer Watchdog to put petrol companies on notice

The Turnbull Government is directing the ACCC to investigate petrol companies and companies involved in all aspects of the petrol supply chain to ensure Australian families are getting a fair deal. The Government has issued a new direction to the ACCC giving them the power to monitor the prices, costs and profits relating to the…

23 December , 2017

FCA welcomes ACCC determination extending fee-free ATMs in Remote Communities

Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) welcomes today’s announcement from the ACCC that they will continue to allow the banking industry to subsidise privately provided ATMs in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The ACCC needs to authorise this arrangement as its collective nature means it would otherwise breach Australia’s competition laws. At a time when…

23 December , 2017

New telco rules an early Christmas present for consumers

The Minister for Communications has directed the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to impose new rules that will force telcos to significantly improve the consumer experience in moving to the NBN. This is a great win for consumers. The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has been calling for some time for these issues to be addressed and…

22 December , 2017

ACCC Report: Airlines need to comply with consumer law

With over 10 million passengers flying last December and January, the ACCC has today released a report Airlines: Terms and conditions ahead of the busy Christmas travel season to remind travellers of their rights. The ACCC received 1400 complaints about airlines from 1 January 2016 to 14 December 2017, largely concerning consumer rights, known as consumer guarantees.…

20 December , 2017

Better dispute resolution for cars needed, say ACCC and Consumer Action

The ACCC last week released the final report from its market study into Australia’s new car retailing industry following 18 months of extensive research, investigations and consultation with industry and consumer groups. “The ACCC recommends several reforms to improve the new car retailing industry, which should lead to better outcomes for consumers. Some will require industry led…