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The ACCC is seeking input on ways to reduce the significant fire and safety risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat or explode, particularly when used, charged or stored incorrectly. An issues paper published today, will help the ACCC to better understand the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries and inform recommendations to reduce the…

Read More Feedback sought on ways to smother fire risks linked to lithium-ion batteries

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Data released today in the Victorian Public Transport Ombudsman (PTO) Annual Report shows a 10 per cent increase in public transport complaints handled by the PTO during the 2021-22 financial year. “The increase in complaints we’ve seen is broadly in line with the increase in the number of Victorians travelling again on public transport”, the…

Read More Complaints rise as patronage increases, Ombudsman to look at public transport fines

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The Federal government is consulting on the price parity clauses that on line travel agents/platforms may have in their agreements with accommodation and tourism providers. These clauses may: meant that a provider listed on the platform cannot offer their services to customers through other distribution channels at prices that are lower than those on the…

Read More Consultation on use of price parity clauses in the accommodation and tourism industry

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After a late-night Senate sitting, Consumer Advocacy groups across Australia are celebrating the passing through the Federal Parliament of long overdue reforms that will protect consumers from falling into payday loans and consumer lease debt traps. The Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022 has finally passed after 6 years of advocacy by the Stop the Debt…

Read More Consumer protections for high-cost and harmful payday loans and consumer leases finally pass Parliament

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Health insurers have handed back to policyholders about $2.1 billion of the profits they gained from a reduction in claims between the start of the pandemic and 30 June 2022, the ACCC’s latest report into the private health insurance industry has found. Figures submitted by insurers to the Department of Health and Aged Care show…

Read More Health funds continue to return profits to meet COVID-19 commitments

A substantial increase in significant breaches of the General Insurance Code of Practice points to a concerning trend among insurers, according to the Annual Report of the General Insurance Code Governance Committee (GICGC) published today. The 2021-22 Annual Report highlights the increase in significant breaches, noting that a large number were related to customers being…

Read More Insurers record an increase in significant breaches of the Code of Practice

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With extreme weather continuing to affect large parts of Australia, the importance of insurance is larger than ever. Following on from CFA’s webinar on UK’s System for Flood Insurance, this webinar will examine measures to improve affordability and access of general insurance, including home & contents insurance.  December 7th 20221 – 2pm AEDT This event will…

Read More Webinar: Is Insurance an Essential Service? Promoting affordability & accessibility for all

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Youpla’s liquidators also revealed the company has had over 150,000 policies active at different times between 1992 and 2019, with around 20,000 still active in 2019. This reveals the scale of the harm caused to First Nations communities and provides insight into how their exploitative model relied on ‘churning’ sign-ups and cancellations to maximise profits…

Read More New liquidator data reveals ‘targeted exploitation’ of First Nations communities through Centrepay system

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The Insurance Brokers Code Compliance Committee (IBCCC) has released an Own Motion Inquiry report examining how subscribers to the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice drive good behaviours and encourage a culture of compliance within their organisation. Following the Culture is Key report, published by the IBCCC in November 2021, the Own Motion Inquiry report is…

Read More Insurance broker company culture producing better outcomes for customers

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People should be empowered to come forward to expose problems of wrongdoing and fraud to their organisations, the authorities or the media, whistleblowing is one of the most effective ways to detect and prevent corruption and other malpractice. Unfortunately, reporting often comes at a high price: whistle-blowers risk their career, their livelihood and sometimes their…

Read More Whistleblowing – have your say