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A new independent report released by the Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research at the University of Melbourne reveals that just over 35 percent of Australians have a concession card, yet only one third of them are aware they may be eligible for energy concessions on their bills. The report surveyed 3187 respondents, 1154…

Read More Majority of Concessioners Not Aware of Energy Bill Concessions

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Financial Counselling Australia welcomes the sanctioning of Westpac for breaching the Banking Code of Practice when it closed its branch in Tennant Creek. The branch was suddenly shut in September 2022 leaving some customers with no access to money. “It was a complete mess and done with no consultation. Some people were unable to buy…

Read More Advocates Welcome Sanctioning of Westpac for Branch Closure

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Building Ministers have agreed to add climate resilience as an objective of the Australian Building Codes Board. This responds to a recommendation from the 2020 National Natural Disaster Arrangements Royal Commission and paves the way for the Australian Building Codes Board to consider future standards which ensure buildings can better withstand more extreme weather.  This…

Read More Building Ministers Agree to ‘climate resilience objective’

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The Albanese Government will strengthen the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, accepting all recommendations of a recent independent review into the Code as part of a wide?ranging cost?of?living crackdown on anti?competitive behaviour in the food and grocery sector. This is about getting a fair go for families and a fair go for farmers. Our…

Read More Government Accepts All Recommendations to Strengthen Food and Grocery Code

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Launched in 2021, The Australian Ad Observatory project at the ADM+S has pioneered a way to observe the targeting of social media advertising across populations of users. During phase one, the project generated the largest known collection of targeted ads that people encounter on Facebook in Australia – 328,107 unique ads from 1909 participants –and…

Read More Upcoming Australian Ad Observatory Webinar

A study of local economic abuse in First Nations communities with special focus on Australia and Canada June 2024 Jerry Buckland Canadian Mennonite University Winnipeg, Manitoba Carmen Daniels Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network Cairns, Queensland ICAN

Today, ICAN releases its literature review: A study of local economic abuse in First Nations communities with a special focus on Australia and Canada. The study was undertaken by Professor Jerry Buckland from the Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) and Carmen Daniels, Research Manager at ICAN. ICAN’s purpose in undertaking the research, was to review the literature…

Read More ICAN Releases Literature Review on Economic Abuse in First Nations Communities

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Every year, Australians transfer an estimated $21 billion to family and friends overseas, making use of international money transfer (IMT) services. However, IMT pricing is complex and often not transparent for consumers. To assist businesses supplying IMT services, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued best practice guidance, aimed at improving how IMT offers are…

Read More Using behavioural insights to improve International Money Transfer calculators

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The ACCC has released its final report outlining the findings of its inquiry into whether the domestic mobile terminating access service should continue to be regulated. Access to telecommunications services in Australia is usually unregulated unless the services are declared. In deciding whether to declare a service, the ACCC must be satisfied that declaration will…

Read More ACCC Releases Final Report on Regulation of Mobile Terminating Access Service

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Events can be high profile and transient, with both positive and negative social, economic and environmental impacts. Sustainable event management includes consideration of these impacts, taking into account the needs of all stakeholders. The revised draft standard AS ISO 20121:2024 Events sustainability magement systems – Requirements with guidance for use can ensure you can have…

Read More Events – Can they be Sustainable?

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Consumer group CHOICE has today released its first quarterly, government-funded report on supermarket prices across Australia. 

As part of the research, CHOICE sent mystery shoppers to 81 regional and metropolitan supermarkets across the country, including Aldi, Woolworths, and Coles, to record prices for 14 common grocery items. 

Read the full story here: www.choice.com.au/cheapestgroceries

Read More CHOICE Supermarket Basket Survey Reveals Clear Winner

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Federal, state and territory governments must take stronger action to stop the scourge of elder abuse, including urgently reforming Power of Attorney laws, says COTA Australia, the nation’s leading advocacy organisation for older people. The call comes as the world marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June. COTA Australia Chief Executive Officer Patricia…

Read More Advocates Call for Stronger Action on Power of Attorney Laws to Prevent Elder Abuse

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From the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission: The ACCC has been working to implement strategies to prevent injuries and deaths caused by toppling furniture. Following a recommendation made by the ACCC, on 3 May 2024 the Assistant Treasurer made the Consumer Goods (Toppling Furniture) Information Standard 2024 (the Information Standard). To give suppliers time to…

Read More Toolkit for Toppling Furniture Information Standard Released