Consumers' Federation of Australia

9 October , 2017

Application of the Australian Consumer Law to Fundraising

Consumer Affairs Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) is consulting on guidance about the application of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) to the activities of charities, not-for-profit entities and fundraisers. The need for new guidance was recognised by the 2017 Review of the ACL, where it was acknowledged that some charities, not-for-profits and fundraisers face difficulties…

8 October , 2017

Fix my car! One-year wait for proper dispute resolution for cars

One year ago today, the Access to Justice review was released by the Victorian Government. The review proposed a sensible fix for the thousands of Victorians who buy lemon cars each year. To mark the date, Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) is launching a new campaign, “Fix my car”, to drive home the need to implement this…

6 October , 2017

CHOICE Refers Shonky Award Winners to the ACCC

Consumer group CHOICE has referred Coles Complete Cuisine cat food and Nature’s Way (Pharmacare) Kidsmart Vita Gummies to the ACCC for alleged breaches of Australian Consumer Law after they were named and shamed at the 12th annual CHOICE Shonky Awards. “Whether it’s making dodgy claims about the nutritional profile of cat food or claiming sugar laden vitamins are good…

6 October , 2017

World Standards Day 2017 – Standards Make Cities Smarter

We take this opportunity to thank all the Consumers Federation of Australia Standards representatives for their hard work and achievements on the Standards Australia Technical Committees and international standards committees. World Standards Day promotes the role of standards in meeting the needs of consumers, industry, business and government. This year’s theme is “Standards make cities…

28 September , 2017

Action Plan to Help Indigenous Australians with Consumer Issues

Media release from the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Consumer issues including scams, unscrupulous door- to-door sellers, and discrimination in the housing market headline some of the key priority areas in the National Indigenous Consumer Strategy (NICS) Action Plan 2017–2019. NICS members are the ACCC, ASIC, state consumer affairs agencies and the Indigenous Consumer…

26 September , 2017

Changes to Standards on Construction in Bushfire Prone Areas – Public Comment

Standards Australia is seeking comments on the draft changes to the Australian Standard AS 3959 Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas. Consumers Federation of Australia has a representative on the Standards Australia Technical Committee, which has been reviewing the standard over the past three years following the the Victorian Royal Commission. The review is also…

22 September , 2017

Do Not Knock Informed Community Program Expands to Hope Vale

The following is a media release from the Office of Fair Trading (Qld). The Do Not Knock informed communities program expanded to Hope Vale today (21 September 2017), with residents marking the occasion at a community event. The program aims to deter unscrupulous door-to-door traders with prominent roadside signage reminding travelling salespeople of their responsibilities…

15 September , 2017

Financial Counselling Australia WA Funding for Financial Services

Financial Counselling Australia welcomes funding of $7.4 million in yesterday’s WA State budget to reinstate and expand financial counselling services. Financial counsellors work in community organisations, providing advice to people struggling with bills and debt. In a tight budgetary environment, the funding is a clear recognition by the WA government that investing in preventative services…

15 September , 2017

Advocates Respond to Meeting of Consumer Affairs Ministers

Consumer advocates have welcomed the decision by Consumer Affairs Ministers to support key changes to the Australian Consumer Law. Consumers’ Federation of Australia have joined member organisations in welcoming the response from Australian Ministers for Consumer Affairs to the Review of the Australian Consumer Law. CFA member organisation CHOICE welcomed the announcement stating: “Today Ministers committed…

8 September , 2017

Response to Retirement Housing Inquiry fails to provide access to justice

Joint media release from Consumer Action, COTA, HHAG and RRVV: After six months of waiting, the Victorian Government has responded to the Inquiry into the Retirement Housing Sector, conducted by the Victorian Legislative Council. The Victorian Government’s response to the Parliamentary Inquiry has failed to deliver, according to retirement housing residents and advocates. Despite nearly…

8 September , 2017

Plugs and Sockets Standard Gets an Update

When you plug your phone charger in to a wall socket, how do you know that it will fit? A new edition of the standard for plugs and sockets used in Australia and New Zealand, AS/NZS 3112, Approval and test specification – Plugs and socket – outlets, has been published. Read more here. Standards are…

5 September , 2017

CFA Member Financial Counselling Australia Joins Campaign to Stop Welfare Cuts

Financial Counselling Australia is putting its support, loud and clear, behind the ACOSS-led campaign calling on the Government to stop demonizing people on welfare and reverse planned cuts to social security benefits. FCA is one of the many community organisations that yesterday signed a joint statement calling out the inhumanity behind nine proposed welfare cuts. …