Consumers' Federation of Australia

25 July , 2016

Productivity Commission launches ACL review: issues paper released

The Productivity Commission has recently launched a study into the enforcement and administration arrangements underpinning the Australian Consumer Law. The study will focus on the effectiveness of the ‘single-law, multiple regulator’ model – a model where the national consumer law is jointly enforced and administered by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and…

23 July , 2016

ISO talks with John Furbank: The price is right

In an increasingly price-conscious world, being able to compare prices of equivalent products in order to make an informed choice is a consumer right. But with the explosion of pre-packaged goods in different types of packaging and product sizes that has hit our shop shelves, making that choice is no easy task. To get around…

22 July , 2016

Symposium: Consumer and Contract Law Reform in Asia

The University of Sydney is hosting a symposium on Consumer and Contract Law Reform with Sydney Law School on the 10th of August 2016. Discounted tickets available to CFA members. Background: Private law and regulatory frameworks impacting on consumer protection are being reformed in many parts of Asia, the world economy’s fastest-growing region. This development…

21 July , 2016

CHOICE launches Complane

CHOICE has introduced their new consumer assistance tool: Complane. Complane has been developed to minimize the number of difficulties that travelers have making complaints with airlines when their flights are delayed or canceled. CHOICE recently conducted a study into passenger travel, revealing that over the past year, over 23 per cent of travelers faced either…

14 July , 2016

Australian Energy Regulator seeking expressions of interest for Consumer Challenge Panel members

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is seeking Expressions of Interest from individuals to apply to be a member of the Consumer Challenge Panel (CCP). The CCP forms an invaluable part of the AER’s regulatory decision-making process by providing consumer insight and perspective into the AER’s decisions. Individuals with consumer experience and engagement, regulatory decision-making or knowledge of…

7 July , 2016

Defining Consumer Protection in the Digital Age

Robin Simpson, Consumers International’s (CI) Senior Policy Adviser, recently represented CI at the OECD Ministerial Meeting on The digital economy innovation, growth and social prosperity which took place in Cancun, Mexico. He spoke at the Civil Society Forum convened by the OECD Civil Society information Society Advisory Council (CSISAC) and in the main agenda panel…

4 July , 2016

Nanotechnology vocabulary standard published

Nanotechnology materials have already found their way into consumer products and impact on many technology and industry sectors. This standard is intended to facilitate communications between organizations and individuals in industry and those who interact with them by providing terms and definitions related to core terms in the field of nanotechnologies.

1 July , 2016

ACCAN media release: low-income earners face telecommunication exclusion

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) and Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) have collaborated in a effort to push the Federal Government to help low-income consumers have better access to telecommunication services, an ACCAN media release reports. New data has revealed that people who are on a minimal income…

30 June , 2016

Political Parties Respond to CFA Federal Election Agenda

Last month, CFA published its Federal Election Agenda , calling upon the incoming Federal Government to make crucial changes to improve consumer outcomes. The agenda presented three measures in which governance and institutional arrangements within the economy could become more effective, cohesive and supportive to consumers: Appoint a Minister for Consumer Affairs with cabinet…

30 June , 2016

Federal Election Agenda Responses

CFA recently published its Federal Election Agenda, calling on the government to make changes within the consumer advocacy sector. The agenda is available here. As of the 30th of June, CFA has received responses correspondence from the Australian Labor Party , the Coalition Liberal & National Parties, and the Australian Greens. The responses are available below. Coalition Liberal…

21 June , 2016

CFA reps on the Standards Australia Outstanding Committee 2016

Congratulations to CFA Standards representatives David Gray and Paul Loney who are members of the Standards Australia Technical Committee EL-041 Lamps and related equipment which received the Standards Australia Outstanding Committee Award for 2016.

17 June , 2016

Consumers call for political parties to help ease the squeeze on living standards

The Queensland Consumers Association (QCA) and other consumer groups1 want all parties contesting the forthcoming federal election to do much more to help consumers experiencing cost of living pressures. QCA spokesperson, Ian Jarratt, says being able to easily and quickly get better value at the supermarket would help consumers to “ease the squeeze” on living…