Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia, the peak body for older Australians, welcomes the Albanese Government’s first Budget. “This is a budget that has kept its promises to older Australians and gone further in some areas,” said COTA Australia Chief Executive, Ian Yates. “Looking at the Budget as a whole, the Government’s focus on reducing…
Read More Federal Budget initiatives welcomed by older Australians says COTA
Energy Consumers Australia said the expected rises in electricity and gas prices over the next two years contained in today’s Budget, means there must be a critical national conversation on how governments will help people control their energy use and bring bills down. CEO Lynne Gallagher said the strategy needs to make sure there is…
Read More Putting people in control of energy use is our most urgent national energy priority
The recent Commonwealth, State and Territory Consumer Affairs Ministers meeting in Adelaide saw a renewed commitment to collaboration across borders and to strengthen consumer protections. Ministers attending the meeting, chaired by South Australian Minister for Consumer Affairs Andrea Michaels, discussed and agreed on priorities for future work, which include: legislation to make unfair contract terms…
Read More Consumer Affairs Ministers meet in Adelaide in September 2022
ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb has welcomed the Governor General’s recent appointment of Catriona Lowe as ACCC Deputy Chair and applauded the contribution of departing Deputy Chair Delia Rickard. Ms Lowe has been appointed for a five-year term from 27 January 2023 when Ms Rickard will finish her term after more than a decade with the…
Read More ACCC pays tribute to Delia Rickard, welcomes Catriona Lowe as Deputy Chair
The Australian Government has released a factsheet to provide information on what to do if your data has been compromised in the recent Medibank and AHM cyber incident. If you think you may be affected by the breach, contact Medibank Private on 13 23 31 or AHM on 13 42 46. If you are concerned…
Read More Guidance for consumers impacted by the Medibank Private and AHM cyber incident
Front: Amy Pereira (2022 mentee), Dana Beiglari (2022 mentee), Rebekah Sarkoezy (2021 mentee). Back: Roberta Grealish (2021 mentee), Franco Morelli (2022 mentee), Sarah Black (2022 mentee), Deb Shroot (2022 mentee), Elissa Freeman (Mentoring Program coordinator). Pictured at the 2022 Mentoring Program networking event in Sydney.
Expressions of interest for the 2023 CFA Consumer Advocacy Mentoring Program are now open, due by 1st November 2022. Please share this item with emerging leaders in your organisation who may be interested in applying for the 2023 program. “Can’t thank you enough for running this excellent program. Becoming part of the wider consumer advocate network,…
Read More Apply to join CFA’s 2023 Mentoring Program
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A recent ASIC surveillance found that some fund managers must do more to ensure the investment performance representations in their fund’s marketing materials are appropriate. This is a media release from the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC). It was originally published on 8th September, 2022. Thirteen responsible entities or trustees of investment funds have voluntarily…
Read More Managed funds amend their marketing following ASIC surveillance
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Breaches of the Banking Code of Practice rose 19 per cent in the second half of 2021, according to the latest compliance report by the Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC). This is a media release from the Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC). It was originally published on 8th September, 2022. The report, Banks’ Compliance with the Banking Code of…
Read More Banking Code breaches need to come down
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Six industry associations that represent the online industry in Australia have published new online safety codes for public consultation. This item is from Online Safety. Australia’s Online Safety Act 2021, which came into effect in January 2022, requires the development of codes by industry associations to regulate certain types of harmful online material, known as Class 1A…
Read More Have your say: New online safety industry codes
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In part two of CHOICE’s investigation, we look at the problems faced when trying to get a repair or refund. It’s July 2022 and Marilyn and Peter are sitting in the Cairns office of the Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network (ICAN). They’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. This is an article from CHOICE.…
Read More Car sales in remote Indigenous communities: A broken system
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CHOICE travels to the remote Indigenous community of Wujal Wujal in Far North Qld to investigate dodgy motor vehicle sales. Cedric Friday says that every time he looks at his broken-down Holden Captiva it makes him angry. The second-hand car that he and his brother-in-law spent $19,000 on sits immovable in his driveway. This is…
Read More Remote Indigenous communities left with broken cars and no redress
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Businesses need to be ready to substantiate any environmental or sustainability claims when marketing their goods and services, ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said today. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was originally published on 20th September, 2022. In a speech to the Sydney Morning Herald Sustainability Summit this…
Read More Businesses told to be prepared to back up their environmental claims
