Consumer groups have reacted to a record number of complaints to Victoria’s Energy and Water Ombudsman by calling on energy companies to commit to a target of significant reductions in complaint numbers.
Read More Consumer group calls on energy companies to bring down complaint numbers
CFA member Consumer Action is concerned about the many instances of non-compliance with the law revealed in ASIC’s review of how payday lenders comply. It has also noted some shortcomings in the responsible lending laws.
Read More Consumer action calls for cap on payday lending in response to ASIC report
ASIC’s review of the practices of 19 pay day and other short-term small amount lenders has found that while the majority are aware of and taking steps to comply with their responsible lending obligations, further improvements need to be made.
Read More ASIC seeks consistency in micro lenders’ responsible lending practices
iphone
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has launched a Recalls Australia iPhone app to provide easily accessible information on recalled consumer goods.
Aimed at consumers and based on information from the Recalls Australia website, the app was launched on YouTube by ACCC deputy chairman Peter Kell.
Read More ACCC launches iPhone app for product recalls
With the Commonwealth Parliament’s joint committee on corporations and financial services due to report soon, Annette Sampson reports in the SMH on a Queensland court decision that exposes the problems in the payday lending industry.
Read More Stronger hand needed to stop debt traps – committee to report this week
Elaine Attwood photo
Enabling technologies have the potential to underpin consumer benefits in areas such as medical treatments, energy generation and environmental remediation. But they may also pose new health, safety and environmental risks, CFA is the Council established to provide advice to government on future directions of their strategy on enabling technologies.
Read More National Enabling Technologies Strategy: A national approach
Peter Kell
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has led a national product safety surveillance program resulting in the recall or removal from sale of over 95,000 unsafe products including trolley jacks, children’s nightwear, bunk beds, cots, hot water bottles, blinds and curtains.
Read More ACCC program removes over 95,000 unsafe products
People planning their retirement finances have two new tools to help them make informed decisions, a new retirement planning publication, Financial Decisions at Retirement, and an upgraded MoneySmart Retirement Planner, the online calculator that shows people how to boost their retirement savings.
Read More New tools to help consumers plan retirement
Consumer Action Law Centre logo
CFA member the Consumer Action Law Centre has expressed disappointment with the Government’s initial response to the National Disaster Insurance Review (NDIR) Panel’s report which it labelled as ‘indecisive’. While the Centre welcomed moves towards a system which would see more Australians covered by flood insurance, it raised concerns about the proposed ‘opt out’ model and has lamented the lack of tangible interim measures in the Government’s response.
Read More Stronger response needed to ensure consumers are protected in times of disaster
The Commonwealth has accepted a proposal to introduce a standard definition of flood and compel insurers to include a flood cover option in all home and contents insurance. This will mean consumers (generally) get two prices in an insurance contract offer: with and without flood cover.
Read More Standard definition of flood in insurance policies + mandatory offer +/- affordability?
In its submission to the Consumer Affairs Advisory Council’s inquiry into .. the Automobile Association has provided detailed information about the cost of motor vehicle repairs – and there are worrying trends. Repairs have risen much faster than inflation, while new car prices have risen much more slowly.
Read More Auto repair problems get National Interest: service costs out of control; computers to blame?
Standards for toy safety ensure toys are hazard free and safe. They reduce the risk of a child being injured by unsafe equipment, dangerous substances and choking hazards. Current work by Standards Australia technical committee concerns activity toys, concerns about impaction and impalement, and projectiles, rotors and propellers.
Read More Safety of Children’s Toys
