Consumers' Federation of Australia

20 December , 2011 0 comments

Public education the key to realising the benefits of Victoria’s smart meter rollout

Households can look forward to the long promised but often delayed benefits of smart meters following the Victorian Government’s decision to go ahead with the rollout, due to be completed by the end of 2013. The decision, along with the additional safeguards announced by the Hon. Michael O’Brien, Minister for Energy and Resources, means the…

15 December , 2011 0 comments

Ministers welcome improvements to the Australian Consumer Law

Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers responsible for fair trading and consumer protection met in Adelaide, South Australia, on 9 December. Read the latest in the Joint Communique : Meeting of Ministers for Consumer Affairs.

13 December , 2011 0 comments

ASIC to review EDR schemes handling of complaints when companies take legal action

ASIC has commenced a review of the 2009 change that provides consumers with limited access to EDR in the early stages of debt recovery proceedings.

13 December , 2011 0 comments

Consumers have a seat on new retail reform body

CFA member CHOICE has accepted an appointment to sit on the newly-formed Retail Council of Australia to ensure consumers have a seat at the table when it comes to discussing reforms to the retail industry.

13 December , 2011 0 comments

CHOICE gives food labelling changes mixed review

CFA member CHOICE reviews the work of the Forum on Food Regulation’s response to the independent Review of Food Labelling. Half-baked they say!

12 December , 2011 0 comments

Soaring FOS disputes highlights need to tackle financial difficulty

The number of financial difficulty disputes handled by FOS increased by 130% (from 2,648 to 6,108). This continues a similar trend from the previous year. FCA is calling for action.

12 December , 2011 0 comments

30,283 financial service disputes at FOS in 2010/11, up 27%

FOS latest Annual Review has been released, with summaries in English and other community languages. Also published online are Comparative Tables showing disputes about individual financial service providers.

10 December , 2011 0 comments

Junk food ads: Is industry self-regulation making a difference?

According to the communications regulators, ACMA, it is unclear whether industry initiatives have resulted in a real reduction in the level of children’s exposure to food and beverage advertising on free-to-air television, and there is continuing community concerns around food and beverage advertising to children.

10 December , 2011 0 comments

ASIC continues review of financial advisors

ASIC will shortly contact 30 Australian financial services licensees as part of the next phase of its review of financial advice industry practice. The review is intended to provide input into ASIC’s work on educating investors, holding gatekeepers to account and understanding consumer behaviour.

9 December , 2011 1 comment

Ministers put better food labelling on the menu but proof in the pudding

CHOICE has welcomed the initial response of Health and Food Ministers to the report of the Food Labelling Review. Ministers have promised an alternative to the traffic light labelling system which all the evidence suggests helps consumers the most. It needs to work as well as traffic light labelling to gain consumer support.

9 December , 2011 0 comments

Are gift card terms and conditions too tough for consumers?

The Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council has released a discussion paper on gift cards. Restrictive expiry dates and other terms and conditions have been raised by Choice and consumer affairs agencies. Consumers have also lost when issues become insolvent.

8 December , 2011 0 comments

Don’t let global roaming ruin your holiday

Global roaming charges are high – indeed some have asked if they are the greatest rip off in history. CFA member ACCAN provides this handy tip sheet to avoid massive smartphone bills.