Consumers' Federation of Australia

6 May , 2025

Advisory Committee openings at the Therapeutic Goods Administration

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is seeking applications from professionals with relevant expertise in medicine and science, and consumers with relevant expertise in consumer perspectives and issues. Successful applicants will contribute significantly towards the TGA’s regulatory functions by providing independent expert advice on matters across a broad spectrum of issues relating to medicines, medical…

2 May , 2025

“No Australian Left Offline”, report finds strong support for concessional internet

Australia’s peak communications consumer body, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network – ACCAN, is calling on the major parties to commit to a concessional internet product delivered by NBN Co to provide a cost-of-living boost to low-income Australians this Federal election. This follows a new ACCAN report undertaken by Essential Research which shows significant popular…

1 May , 2025

ICAN welcomes ASIC review into motor vehicle finance industry

The Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network (ICAN) has welcomed the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) timely review of the motor vehicle finance industry. The review aims to address systemic issues affecting consumers in regional, remote, and First Nations communities. ASIC’s review, announced in March, will scrutinise lenders, brokers, and intermediaries for compliance with consumer protection…

30 April , 2025

Quantum computing vocabulary – Standard for use in all types of organisations

Quantum computing holds the potential to revolutionize fields from chemistry and logistics to finance and physics. This shift from the classical digital representation found in today’s conventional computers to a quantum digital representation in tomorrow’s computers is expected to bring increases in computing power and new, innovative software applications, allowing us to tackle more complex…

30 April , 2025

Transition away from gas must benefit all consumers

Going all-electric is a huge benefit to consumers, particularly in terms of cost and emissions savings. It tends to better utilise the electricity network, so the fully electric household (with an electric car) puts downward pressure on electricity prices for its neighbours. But the transition to all-electric homes and businesses needs to be delivered in a way…

30 April , 2025

National Anti-Scam Centre warns that criminal ‘account compromised’ scams are on the rise

The National Anti-Scam Centre has seen a significant rise in financial criminals targeting Australians in phishing scams that scare people to believe that their bank accounts or cryptocurrency wallets have been hacked or compromised. These scams use a sense of urgency and fear to make people act quickly and use phrases such as ‘account compromised’,…

29 April , 2025

Crossbenchers and community advocates push for increase to income support

Independents, Greens and other crossbench candidates are pushing the next government to substantially increase income support to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and lift people out of poverty. With a minority government possible after this election, crossbenchers have signed a joint statement with ACOSS and representatives from the community sector declaring that raising the rate is…

24 April , 2025

Playing the Player – new report shines a light on dark gaming patterns

The Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) and Monash University recently partnered together on a new report ‘Playing the Player: Unfair digital gaming practices and their impact on Australians‘. Below is the introduction and 9 key recommendations of the report. To download a copy of the full report, or to see a summary of the key…

23 April , 2025

Federal Court finds Qteq and Simon Ashton engaged in ‘cartel conduct’

The Federal Court has today found oil and gas services company Qteq Pty Ltd and its executive chairman Simon Ashton engaged in cartel conduct in relation to the supply of goods and services in the oil and gas industry, following court action by the ACCC. The Court found that between 2017 and 2019, on five…

23 April , 2025

Cost of Living Crisis the top priority for 2025 Election

Consumer Action Law Centre has revealed a list of its top consumer-centric priorities to make life fairer and better for all Australians, ahead of the upcoming federal Election. “This Federal Election is all about the cost-of-living, and no matter who steps into government it’s vital that they prioritise relieving the harsh financial burdens now being felt by…

23 April , 2025

Why Competitive Markets Matter for All Australians

From the supermarket shelf to your electricity bill, competition shapes the choices we have and the prices we pay. When markets are competitive, businesses are pushed to offer better services, lower prices, and more innovation. But when competition is weak or distorted, consumers lose — paying more for less, and having fewer choices. That’s why…

23 April , 2025

ACCC’s draft authorises collaboration on sustainable finance initiatives

The ACCC has released a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation with conditions to allow the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) and industry participants to collaborate on sustainable finance initiatives for five years. ASFI is seeking authorisation for itself, ASFI members and other industry participants to exchange information to improve the integration of natural capital…