Consumers' Federation of Australia

3 November , 2017

Banks Continue to Provide Incorrect Information about Direct Debit Cancellation

Customers continue to be frustrated by bank staff providing incorrect information about cancellation of direct debits, according to two separate reports released by the Banking Code Compliance Monitoring Committee (BCCMC) and the Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee (COBCCC) respectively. The BCCMC report found that more than half (54%) of bank staff tested gave customers…

2 November , 2017

Standards, Ageing Societies and the Silver Economy

Recently Standards Australia and the Australian Government – Department of Industry, Innovation and Science presented at the APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC) on the APEC Silver Economy Workshop and Recommendations Report APEC SCSC endorsed all four key recommendations: Recommendation One – APEC should accelerate and mainstream efforts in supporting ageing societies. Recommendation Two…

2 November , 2017

Helping Consumers Choose Better Sun Protection

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. The major cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The best way to protect you and your family is to cover up when in the sun: the more skin you cover, the better the protection. Clothing…

2 November , 2017

CFA Welcomes Appointment of NSW Fair Trading Commissioner

Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean today announced the appointment of Rose Webb as the new Commissioner for NSW Fair Trading. Mr Kean said Ms Webb has an extensive background working at senior levels across both regulatory and enforcement agencies. “I’m so excited to announce Rose Webb as the new Fair Trading Commissioner,” he said.…

27 October , 2017

Revisions to Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Terms of Reference

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) Board has adopted changed to the organisation’s Terms of Reference to: reflect the legislative requirement for carriers and intermediaries in the supply of telecommunications services (such as aggregators) to belong to the TIO strengthen the obligation on members to provide information requested by the TIO in order to resolve a…

27 October , 2017

Quad Bike Safety Taskforce

The following is a joint media release from the Commonwealth Small Business Minister Michael McCormack and Commonwealth Employment Minister Michaelia Cash. A Taskforce led by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will conduct an investigation into quad bike safety under plans announced today by the Minister for Employment Michaelia Cash and Minister for Small Business…

21 October , 2017

Safety Standards for Exercise Equipment Reviewed and Maintained

Product safety standards for exercise bikes and treadmills have been maintained to ensure the safety of users, Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack says. “As Minister responsible for Consumer Affairs, one of my highest priorities is for Australian consumers’ safety,” Mr McCormack said. “Australians should feel confident when they purchase a good, the item will operate…

19 October , 2017

Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman complaints reveal need for updated safeguards

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) is disappointed that complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) have increased by a massive 41.1 per cent during 2016-17. This rise in complaints is reflective of the experiences we are hearing from consumers and indicates there are systemic issues with customer service in the industry. Customer…

19 October , 2017

Consumer Advocate Groups welcome ACCC’s Preliminary Report on retail electricity prices

Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) and the Queensland Consumers Association (QCA) have welcomed the ACCC’s Preliminary Report for its Electricity Supply & Prices Inquiry. In his Preliminary Report, ACCC chairman Rod Sims has confirmed that the electricity market is not working as it should and not delivering good value for money outcomes for consumers. The QCA says this confirms what…

19 October , 2017

Free Access to Australian Standards

Free onsite and offsite access to Australian standards online, is being made available via membership of the National Library of Australia and the State Library of your domicile. Check the status with the library for more details. *This service is no longer available. Standards Australia will fund and make available access to Australian Standards by…

19 October , 2017

New Tool to Monitor Australian Consumer Law Review Implementation

Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) is pleased to release a tool for consumer advocates to monitor the implementation of the recommendations from the Review of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and the Productivity Commission Report into ACL Administration and Enforcement. These reports set a substantial agenda for consumer law reform which has been welcomed by…

13 October , 2017

NSW consumers to get a fairer deal on gift cards

Consumers across NSW will have more money in their pockets thanks to Australian-first gift card reforms, Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean announced on 10 October 2017. Mr Kean said the proposed plan would see mandatory three-year expiry dates for all gift cards sold in NSW, putting up to $60 million a year back in…