Consumers' Federation of Australia

24 November , 2023

Energy Consumers Australia Welcomes Announcement of Capacity Investment Scheme, Calls for More Work for Consumers

Original media release from ECA (23/11/2023). Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) CEO Brendan French, quoted in response to the Capacity Investment Scheme: quote Energy Consumers Australia CEO Brendan French: “Energy Consumers Australia welcomes this morning’s announcement which is both an important step in providing reliable supply to consumers and also a continued firm commitment by Federal…

24 November , 2023

Detours and Roadblocks: CPRC’s Upcoming Faulty Car Webinar

Original text from CPRC’s website (24/11/2023). Date: 27 November 2023Time: 1-2PM AEDTLocation: Online Faulty cars are far too common and disrupt far too many lives. A faulty car is far more than just a daily inconvenience, they can disrupt lives and pose serious challenges for people nationwide when trying to resolve the problem. CPRC’s research…

23 November , 2023

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Opens Draft Industry Standards to Public Consultation

“eSafety and indeed the wider community, expect that all online services, should be taking all reasonable steps to prevent their services from being used to store, share and distribute this horrific content and that’s what these standards are intended to achieve.”

23 November , 2023

Submissions Open for Consultation Paper on Merger Reform

A few days ago, on November 20th 2023 the Albanese Government’s Competition Taskforce released a Consultation Review on Australia’s laws and practices surrounding mergers. Below is information from the Treasury website on the consultation paper as well as how to make a submission and what to include. The Treasurer has also issued a media release on the consultation which is available here. Submissions for the merger consultation paper close on January 19th 2024.

23 November , 2023

Non-Executive Director Position Open at Energy Consumers Australia

ECA is looking for an experienced Non-executive Director with a broad understanding of energy systems. It will be critical they can speak to and represent the long-term interests of energy consumers, in particular residential and small business consumers.
Closing date: 11.59pm AEDT on Sunday 3rd December 2023.

22 November , 2023

Be Alert – ACCC Warns Consumers og Online Retail Impersonnation for the Black Friday Sales

Original media release by the ACCC (20/11/2023). Consumers are being warned to watch out for scam websites impersonating high-profile Australian retailers when shopping online this Black Friday, Cyber Monday sale weekend (24-27 November 2023). The National Anti-Scam Centre has detected a concerning increase in the number of reports of fake websites that look like genuine…

22 November , 2023

ACCAN’s Tips for Talking to Telcos

With the continued stress and pressure of the current cost of living crisis, changes to the NBN and a year filled with hacks, scams, identity theft, and outages we thought it was time to remind everyone of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network’s six guides for talking to telcos. Below is a list from the…

21 November , 2023

Financial Counselling Sector Applauds the Launch of New Funding Model

Financial Counselling Australia is delighted with today’s Government announcement about the establishment of an independent body to accept contributions from industry to fund financial counselling services.
The implementation of an industry funding model, with funding administered by an independent body, was recommended by the Sylvan Review of financial counselling in March 2019. This was an appropriate, and innovative, response to the problem of long waiting lists to see a financial counsellor, including some people being turned away.

21 November , 2023

National Safety Notice Issued for Recalled LG Solar Batteries

Original media release by the ACCC (20/11/2023). Following a recommendation by the ACCC, the Assistant Treasurer, the Hon. Stephen Jones, has today issued a national safety warning notice to warn consumers of fire risks associated with recalled LG solar lithium-ion batteries which are installed in solar energy systems across the country. The safety warning notice was issued…

20 November , 2023

ACCC Welcomes Consults on Viva Energy’s Divestiture Proposal for OTR Acquisition

The proposed acquisition will combine the entities’ retail fuel, wholesale fuel and retail convenience and grocery offerings.

The ACCC invites submissions on the divestiture proposal by 27 November 2023.

20 November , 2023

ASIC Welcomes New Commissioners

Original media release by ASIC (20/11/2023). ASIC Chair Joe Longo has welcomed the commencement of new Commissioners Simone Constant and Alan Kirkland, who began their five-year terms today. In August the Treasurer announced the appointment of three new Commissioners to ASIC to serve alongside Mr Longo, Deputy Chair Sarah Court and Deputy Chair Karen Chester,…

17 November , 2023

ABA Consults ASIC on Proposed Banking Code Changes

Original media release ASIC (17/11/2023). Today ASIC opened its consultation on the Australian Banking Association’s (ABA) proposed changes to its Banking Code of Practice (the Code). The Code contains a set of contractually enforceable standards that customers and small business can expect subscribing banks to uphold. The ABA plans to apply for ASIC approval of…