Consumers' Federation of Australia

25 August , 2017

ACCAN Welcomes Broadband Speed Advertising Guidance

ACCAN welcomes the ACCC’s guidance to retail service providers (RSPs) on broadband speed claims released today. The guidance should help clear up the consumer confusion around broadband speeds. The informative labels that the ACCC has suggested (basic evening speed, standard evening speed, standard plus evening speed and premium evening speed) will help consumers better understand the speeds they…

18 August , 2017

Expressions of Interest Sought for ATAS Code Compliance Monitoring Committee

Independent Chairperson The AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS) is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified people interested in serving as the Independent Chairperson to the ATAS Code Compliance Monitoring Committee (ACCMC). ATAS is the travel industry accreditation scheme for travel intermediaries, travel agents in Australia and operates with some 3000 locations nationally. The role…

14 August , 2017

Queensland Consumers’ Association Call for Consumer Input into Energy Retail Talks

Media Release from Queensland Consumers Association The Prime Minister’s meeting with energy retailer CEOs on 9 August resulted in some actions and ideas aimed mainly at assisting consumers to make better informed decisions about energy contracts and retailers. It is pleasing that these included many that the Queensland Consumers Association (QCA) and other consumer advocates have…

11 August , 2017

Consumers Federation of Australia joins with the ACCC in Welcoming the Reappointment of ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard

ACCC Media Release: ACCC Chairman Rod Sims has welcomed the Federal Government’s reappointment of Delia Rickard as Deputy Chair of the ACCC for a period of five years. The Government announced Delia’s reappointment today following unanimous support from the states and territories. “Delia has made an outstanding contribution to the work of the ACCC over…

11 August , 2017

Financial Counselling Australia Welcomes Gambling Bill Amendments

Financial Counselling Australia welcomes amendments to the Interactive Gambling Bill that passed through Parliament today. “The online wagering companies will no longer be able to give people credit to gamble online. This was getting people into so much trouble” said Lauren Levin, Director Campaigns and Policy, FCA. “We’re so relieved to see the end of…

9 August , 2017

Dr Gill Asks: Why Isn’t Electricity Priced as Clearly as Petrol?

The following is a piece by Dr Martin Gill, a CFA representative on a number of Standards Australia Technical Committees. Petrol pricing hides a complex global market. Consider the numerous steps in supplying petrol: Crude oil is traded on a wholesale market with prices affected by global events Highly risky searches are undertaken for new…

8 August , 2017

Join Consumer Action’s Campaign against Debt Vultures

Live debt free! Take control! Never stress about money again! Maybe you’ve seen one of the TV or radio ads that Debt Vultures use to flog services such as “repairing” credit reports, debt negotiation, personal budgeting, and debt agreements. Debt Vultures give bad advice and spruik so-called “debt solutions” to Australians in financial hardship, and waste…

4 August , 2017

State Regulator Outlines Consumer Protection Priorities for 2017-18

Consumers’ Federation of Australia welcomes the following statement of priorities from WA Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection, David Hillyard. The original statement can be found here. We’re in a new financial year and Consumer Protection has considered previous complaint trends and emerging issues to help decide priorities for the 12 months ahead. It’s not always…

28 July , 2017

Product Safety Reform and the ACL Review – Blog Post

The following is a blog post by Luke Nottage and Catherine Niven. The original post can be accessed here. In 2008, as consumer confidence in Australia took a big hit from the Global Financial Crisis, the Productivity Commission published a report advising the federal Treasurer to lead a belated “re-harmonisation” of consumer protection law. The State and…

27 July , 2017

Car Companies Caught Refitting Lethal Airbags – CHOICE

A CHOICE investigation into the largest automotive recall in Australian history has found Toyota, Mazda, BMW, Lexus and Subaru have been refitting vehicles with potentially faulty airbags and have failed to inform consumers of the ongoing risk of death or injury. “With 2.3 million vehicles in Australia requiring their potentially lethal Takata airbags to be replaced, it’s…

25 July , 2017

Federal Government Silent on Debt Vulture Warnings

It has been eighteen months since the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) warned the Federal Government that so-called “debt management” firms are engaging in misleading and predatory conduct. The Consumer Action Law Centre wrote to the Federal Government shortly afterwards, calling for better regulation in the sector, but have yet to receive a response.…

20 July , 2017

International Standards for Climate Change Adaptation – Opinion Piece

The following is an opinion piece by John Henry, who represents CFA on Standards Australia committee EV-015 Greenhouse Gas Measurement and Accounting, the national mirror committee to ISO/TC 207/SC 7. The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has Climate Change Adaptation on its radar thanks to the sub-committee on Greenhouse Gas Measurement and Related Activities (ISO/TC…