Consumers' Federation of Australia

20 December , 2021

New safety standard for portable non-aerosol fire extinguishers

A new mandatory safety standard for portable non-aerosol fire extinguishers, published today, will improve existing performance and identification requirements, to reduce the risk of a fire extinguisher not operating correctly during a fire. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was originally published on 20th December, 2021. The new standard, issued…

17 December , 2021

Productivity Commission’s Final Report on “Right To Repair” Released

Prepared by CFA Executive Member Ian Jarratt, of Queensland Consumers Association. He can be reached at ijarratt@australiamail.com. The final report was handed to the Australian Government on 29 October 2021 and publicly released on 1 December 2021. The Government has not yet announced its response to the report. CFA and several member organisations participated in the…

17 December , 2021

Medical practitioners’ use of the title surgeon under the National Law

Victoria is leading a national consultation on behalf of all Australian Health Ministers on the use of the title surgeon by medical practitioners under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (National Law). This is a duplication of contact from the Department of Health. It was received on 13th December, 2021. Health ministers are concerned that the regulatory framework…

17 December , 2021

Energy sector remains focused on transition and affordability

Affordable energy and transition to a decarbonised energy system in ways that put customers at the centre, have been identified by the Energy Charter as critical ongoing commitments in 2022, following a new report released today. This is a media release from The Energy Charter. It was originally published on 15th December, 2021. Energy Charter Full Signatories, made up of…

17 December , 2021

Strengthening protections for consumers and small businesses

The Morrison Government is consulting on ways to strengthen the consumer guarantee and supplier indemnification provisions under the Australian Consumer Law. This is a media release from The Hon Michael Sukkar MP. It was originally published on 14th December, 2021. The consultation paper released today includes options for civil prohibitions and penalties for suppliers that fail to provide…

14 December , 2021

Gift card buying tips

Gift cards are very convenient and popular presents to buy at this time of year. However the Queensland Consumers Association advises buyers to choose ones that will be useful to the receiver, have fair terms and conditions, and have reasonable fees. This is a media release from Queensland Consumers Association. It was originally published on 9th December, 2021.…

9 December , 2021

Health funds must exercise caution when calculating COVID-19 relief for policyholders

Insurers have continued to return profits gained from a reduction in claims during the COVID?19 pandemic to policyholders, but ongoing restrictions in some states delayed the full return of these profits in 2020-21, the latest ACCC annual report into the private health insurance industry has found. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was…

9 December , 2021

Tougher consumer protections at core of payments reform welcomed

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s announcement today that the Government intends to reform Australia’s payment systems is a real opportunity to improve consumer protection, according to Consumer Action Law Centre. This is a media release from the Consumer Action Law Centre. It was originally published on 8th December, 2021. “Today’s announcement foreshadows consultation on regulatory arrangements for Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)…

8 December , 2021

AFCA appoints new head of code compliance

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has appointed a new leader of its Code Compliance and Monitoring Team. Prue Monument has joined as General Manager of Code Compliance and Monitoring and is also the new CEO of the Banking Code Compliance Committee. This is a media release from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). It was originally published on…

8 December , 2021

Liza Carver appointed to ACCC

ACCC Chair Rod Sims has welcomed today’s Government announcement that Liza Carver has been appointed as an ACCC Commissioner for a five?year term, starting on 1 March 2022. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was originally published on 29th November, 2021. Ms Carver brings significant legal and consumer experience to the…

7 December , 2021

Exploring the ‘why’ of Compliance and the need for culture shift

The independent committee that monitors the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice (the Code) offers key industry insights and guidance in its newly published Annual Data Report for 2020. This is a media release from the Insurance Brokers Code Compliance Committee (IBCCC). It was originally published on 2nd December, 2021. The Insurance Brokers Code Compliance Committee (the Committee) has…

7 December , 2021

Funeral industry practices raise consumer concerns

The ACCC is calling for funeral businesses to review their contracts and pricing practices to ensure they comply with consumer and competition laws, in a new report on the funeral services industry. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was originally published on 2nd December, 2021. The report, released today, highlights key issues of…