Media release first posted 18/04/2023. The ACCC is asking parents and guardians for their views on childcare services in Australia, as part of its year-long inquiry into the sector. Parents and guardians are invited to complete a short online survey to share their experiences when looking for and using childcare services in Australia. The ACCC is seeking…
Read More Parents and Guardians Asked for Their Experience with Childcare
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has just released its 2022 Targeting Scams report in which it found an 80% increase in total losses compared to 2021. Using data from regulators and government agencies, the report highlights the need for further collaboration between government bodies, banks, regulators, telcos, and digital platforms to close “significant…
Read More ACCC Calls for United Front as Scammers Steal Over $3bn from Australians
Media release from CHOICE 18/04/2023. New national research from CHOICE has revealed over 40% of renters have been pressured to use RentTech to apply for a home – putting them at risk of data breaches, extra costs and exclusion from housing. Some tenants are also being forced to use these third-party rental platforms, such as…
Read More Your data, open for inspection: CHOICE raises alarm on RentTech
The Battery Stewardship Council (BSC) is inviting feedback on the Electric Vehicle Battery Stewardship Discussion Paper which is being released in partnership with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCIA) and Motor Traders Association of Australia (MTAA). This Discussion Paper is intended to facilitate an inclusive dialog on options for ensuring electric vehicle battery stewardship.…
Read More Have your say on the future of Battery Stewardship in the Electric Vehicle sector
The Consumers’ Federation of Australia has made a further submission to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) about the proposed merger of ANZ Banks and Suncorp Bank. The submission, following the publication of ACCC’s preliminary views, agrees with the ACCC that there are regulatory and structural barriers for smaller providers and newer entrants in…
Read More CFA Response to Proposed Suncorp-ANZ merger
Below is a media release (12/04/2023) from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) regarding current Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb’s speech to the National Press Club on the need to reform merger laws in Australia. A full transcript of the speech is available from the ACCC’s website here. Australia’s merger laws are no longer fit for…
Read More ACCC: Reform of merger laws critical for Australia’s economic transition
The trend towards digital and cashless banking is already negatively impacting many vulnerable Australians as COTA (Council on the Ageing) highlighted in their recent media release, as seen below: The closure of cash services at bank branches risks cutting off access to vital and basic banking services for many older Australians, particularly our most vulnerable,…
Read More COTA: Don’t lock vulnerable Australians out of banking
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), along with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), has found that while direct debit may work for some consumers direct debits automatic system and lack of flexibility created unfair additional costs and financial distress for vulnerable consumers. In a media release (05/04/2023) ACCAN said: A thriving and competitive…
Read More Direct Debit for Telcos and Utilities a Problem for Vulnerable Consumers
Today, over 50% of organizations worldwide report using some form of AI in their operations, but many people still lack foundational knowledge concerning what AI is, or its potential risks, benefits, and impacts. CSIRO’s Everyday AI shows this technology is not science fiction but very much a reality shaping our everyday lives. Destination AI, a…
Read More Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Learn what makes AI tick
Media release from Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), originally released here on 4/04/2023 The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is launching a public consultation on its “points of presence” data – the data APRA collects and publishes on physical banking service channels in Australia. APRA publishes a detailed listing of the number of bank branches,…
Read More APRA Launches Public Consultation on Banks’ ‘Points of Presence’ Data
From Consumer Action Law Centre, Released 03/04/2023. Original here. Consumer advocates around Australia have welcomed moves by Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC MP to reform bankruptcy laws. Last month, consumer advocates attended a Ministerial Roundtable on Personal Insolvency to discuss pressure points in the current system, critical reform areas and longer-term strategic challenges with the Attorney-General and…
Read More Now is the time to make positive reforms to bankruptcy laws say consumer advocates
From Insurance Brokers Code Compliance Committee 04/04/2023 Media Release. The Insurance Brokers Code Compliance Committee (IBCCC) has urged insurance brokers to recognise the importance of reporting breaches following a concerning finding in its latest Annual Data Report. The IBCCC’s report, which looks at the performance of insurance brokers subscribed to the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice, found…
Read More IBCCC Publishes its 2021 Annual Data Report: Insurance brokers need to embrace a culture of reporting
