A list of three key takeaways from the 2023 TIO Annual Report A list of three key takeaways from the 2023 TIO Annual Report

Complaints from phone and internet consumers decreased 16.5 per cent in the last financial year ending 30 June 2023. In this period, consumers and small business made 66,388 complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, highlighted in the Annual Report 2022—23 published today.

Read More TIO Annual Report Finds Mobile Problems, Optus Data Breach are Top Issues for Consumers

Solar battery storage outside a brick house. The plastic and metal is charred black and melted in some areas. Solar battery storage outside a brick house. The plastic and metal is charred black and melted in some areas.

All households with a solar storage system need to urgently check if the system has a recalled LG battery installed and should switch off affected batteries immediately, the ACCC has warned.

When these batteries malfunction there is a serious risk of injury or death due to the affected batteries overheating and causing a fire.

Read More LG Solar Batteries Recalled – Consumers Urged to Check and Switch Off Affected Batteries Immediately

Drawing of a toy for an infant. If has a smiling face, string coming out of its head and a segmented body ending in a teething ring. Drawing of a toy for an infant. If has a smiling face, string coming out of its head and a segmented body ending in a teething ring.

The ACCC will enforce the new toy safety standard which will make it mandatory for all toys marketed at children under three to adhere to strict design and testing requirements ensuring toys do not contain small parts.

Read More New Mandatory Safety Standards to Protect Children from Choking Hazards

Shared Vision for a Better World Standards for SDGs World Standards Day: 14 October IEC, ISO, ITU

Saturday October 14th is World Standards Day, a time to acknowledge and celebrate the work of the thousands of people around the world who dedicate their time and effort into creating technical voluntary standards. This year’s theme for World Standards Day is ‘a shared vision for a better world’, CFA’s Standards Project Manager, Regina Godfredson, has prepared a short piece for the occasion.

Read More World Standards Day: Shared Vision for a Better World

A yellow lightbulb with a dollar sign inside. A yellow lightbulb with a dollar sign inside.

The Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) latest State of the energy market report highlights that the energy system in 2023 experienced fewer shocks and better outcomes than in the preceding year, however many of the vulnerabilities observed in 2022 remain. 

The report reveals some improved outcomes in wholesale energy markets with average wholesale electricity prices significantly lower than the record highs seen in 2022. Wholesale gas prices also declined significantly from 2022 but remain high by historical standards.

Read More AER Highlights Better Outcomes but Continue Challenges

A cartoon battery with low, dark yellow charge. In front of it is a drawing of the charging symbol. A cartoon battery with low, dark yellow charge. In front of it is a drawing of the charging symbol.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today published its latest report on consumer product safety and lithium-ion or Li-ion batteries – the type of batteries used in personal electronic devices, renewable energy storage, and e-vehicles. The report, available here in pdf and audio form, is part of the ACCC’s 2022-23 and 2023-234 priority on product…

Read More ACCC Report on Lithium-Ion and Consumer Product Safety Urges a ‘Multi-Faceted Approach’

A drawing of a piece of white paper with a pie chart at the top and writing at the bottom, both in blue ink. The background behind the drawing is a light grey with a shadow extending from the page to the bottom right. A drawing of a piece of white paper with a pie chart at the top and writing at the bottom, both in blue ink. The background behind the drawing is a light grey with a shadow extending from the page to the bottom right.

The Life Insurance Code Compliance Committee (Life CCC) prioritised supporting a smooth transition to the new Code of Practice in 2022-23, according to its Annual Report.

The Annual Report 2022-23, published today, noted how the work of the Life CCC helped life insurers to proceed with clarity in aligning systems, processes and practices to new obligations in the Code.

The new obligations and additional consumer protections came into effect on 1 July 2023.

Read More Life Insurance Code Compliance Committee Releases First Annual Report Under the New Code of Practice

building blocks, creative, colors-5097836.jpg building blocks, creative, colors-5097836.jpg

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) yesterday released the second interim report for their 2022-23 inquiry into childcare. Included in the report are draft findings and recommendations on the costs, profitability and viability, policy, and effectiveness of market regulations specific to the Australian childcare sector – with reference to other OECD countries which largely…

Read More Market Forces Fail to Deliver Accessible and Affordable Childcare