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The following piece is an excerpt from a piece by Dr. Martin Gill, CFA’s representative on a number of Standards Australia Technical Committees on energy. Retailers should be required to provide sufficient information on bills (and tariff contracts) to ensure consumers can easily compare tariffs. It is also recommended a review be undertaken to determine…
Read More Dr Gill on Simplifying Tariff Comparisons
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Research from consumer group CHOICE has found 92% of people believe it is important that the weight measurement remains on the front of food products. The finding comes as the Federal Government’s National Measurement Institute has today released a policy statement which appears to prioritise trade over transparency. “Labels are for consumers not solely to…
Read More Pack weight threat
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The Turnbull Government will legislate a national Consumer Data Right, allowing customers open access to their banking, energy, phone and internet transactions. Australians will be able to compare offers, get access to cheaper products and plans to help them ‘make the switch’ and get greater value for money. Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus…
Read More Australians to own their own data
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In the race to adopt electric vehicles, Australia is sputtering along in the slow lane. Rather than growing, Australian sales of electric cars are actually in decline. In 2016 they represented just 0.02% of new car sales – even lower than in 2013. Contrast that with Norway, the country with the highest levels of electric…
Read More Why is Australia slow in adopting electric cars?
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New research by the Queensland Consumers Association (QCA) shows shoppers can make big savings on food and grocery bills by taking account of the unit prices (price per unit of measure – for example $ per 100g) on supermarket shelf labels and other price signs. QCA spokesperson, Ian Jarratt, says the research showed that on…
Read More Food and Grocery Bills Slashed by Unit Pricing
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has found some retailers may be misleading consumers about their rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) after reviewing the online policies of several large Australian clothing retailers. “This year the ACCC has received over 750 complaints regarding consumer guarantees for clothing purchases. We are reviewing the policies…
Read More ACCC Puts Clothing Retailers on Notice
Salespeople
Do Not
Knock
Leave these premises immediately
Palm Island officially became a Do Not Knock informed community today (14 November 2017) with the unveiling of new high profile signage at a community event. The Do Not Knock program aims to deter unscrupulous door-to-door traders with prominent signage reminding travelling salespeople of their responsibilities and obligations when trading door-to-door. Residents are also offered…
Read More Palm Island residents say no to dodgy door-to-door traders
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The Internet of Things Alliance Australia (IoTAA) last week launched its Good Data Practice: A Guide for Business to Consumer IoT Services for Australia. The 20 page Guide comes out of a major collaborative effort by industry, consumer representatives and regulatory bodies to address consumer-related concerns about business to consumer IoT services. The Guide deals with what industry…
Read More Launch of Good Data Practice: A Guide
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There’s a good chance you’ve heard of platforms like Uber and Airbnb. These platforms and many others are part of the sharing economy. While sharing economy platforms can provide a new and convenient experience for purchasing and hiring goods or services, questions around consumer and trader protection often come with the new territory. If you…
Read More The Sharing Economy: Know Your Rights, Know the Rules
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Consumer group CHOICE, with the support of the Australian Dental Association, has launched a national campaign encouraging consumers to demand Health Ministers across the country to include added sugar labelling on food packs. Health Ministers are due to meet in late November to discuss possible labelling reforms after delaying a decision for six years. “Ministers across Australia…
Read More Call for Action on Added Sugar Labelling
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Telstra has agreed to offer remedies to around 42,000 customers for promoting and offering some of its National Broadband Network (NBN) speed plans as being capable of delivering specified maximum speeds, when those maximum speeds could not be achieved in real-world conditions. Between September 2015 and November 2017, Telstra offered internet services through both its…
Read More Telstra Offers to Compensate 42,000 Customers for Slow NBN
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The way that we currently experience the internet involves, to some extent, a choice about how and when to engage. More Internet of Things innovation could mean moving towards a more encompassing experience, where all our interactions are observed and shaped by digital devices and services, sometimes without our knowledge. Read the Consumers International report Testing…
Read More The Internet of Things
