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Australia has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world, yet when it comes to road safety, there is no national standard on the design, testing (including crash testing) or manufacture of car restraints to keep our pets and vehicle occupants safe. Dogs are the most popular animal companions (40%), followed by cats (27%). According to…
Read More Seat belts for pets?
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Every year, on March 15, the consumer movement celebrates World Consumer Rights Day, raising global awareness of consumer rights, consumer protection and empowerment. Consumers International is proud and privileged to coordinate this day of global collaboration, with 200 consumer advocacy members in over 100 countries. In 2021, 73 of our Members carried out local campaigns to ‘Tackle Plastic Pollution’. Collectively, we reached a total global audience of over 31 million consumers. …
Read More Fair Digital Finance – World Consumer Rights Day 2022 Theme Announced
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Consumer Policy Research Centre is pleased to announce the appointment of Erin Turner as the organisation’s incoming Chief Executive Officer. This is a news item from Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). It was originally published on 27th January, 2022. “Erin brings with her a wealth of experience, including her prolific consumer campaign and policy activities as Director of Communication…
Read More Announcing the appointment of new CEO Erin Turner
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Consumer groups and financial counsellors are urging the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to act now to put an end to the use of harmful lending models used to charge excessive fees on top of short-term loans. This is a media release from Consumer Action Law Centre (CALC). It was originally published on 24th January, 2022. For over…
Read More Time to finally end the harm done by Cigno loans
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The Morrison Government is giving consumers more power to lower their internet and phone bills by expanding the Consumer Data Right to the telecommunications sector. This is a joint media release from The Hon Josh Frydenberg MP: Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia & The Hon Paul Fletcher MP: Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts &…
Read More More power to compare and switch telco providers and share finance data
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E-waste is any item with a plug, battery or power cord that’s no longer working or wanted. It covers a whole range of items from phones and refrigerators to fluorescent light tubes and is growing faster than any other waste stream. E-waste can cause serious environmental problems due to toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury and…
Read More E-waste – what’s being done about it
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The Federal Court has ordered four companies in the Mayfair 101 Group to pay a combined penalty of $30 million for misleading advertising. This is a media release from the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC). It was originally published on 22nd December, 2021. In March 2021, the Court found Mayfair Wealth Partners Pty Ltd and Online Investments Pty…
Read More Mayfair 101 Group to pay $30 million penalty for misleading advertising
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Need to know Rapid antigen tests are being sold at inflated prices by some retailers The ACCC is investigating the price gouging Advocates say stronger price-gouging protections are needed for consumers This is a media release from CHOICE. It was originally published on 5th January, 2022. It was only a few weeks ago that COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs)…
Read More Price gouging: COVID-19 rapid antigen test prices soar
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The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is consulting on a bold new strategy, launched today for consultation, to improve outcomes for consumers experiencing vulnerability and help them stay engaged with the rapidly transforming energy market. This is a media release from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). It was originally published on 20th December, 2021. Latest energy debt figures show a 56% increase…
Read More Financial issues ‘just the tip of the iceberg’ in supporting energy consumers, prompting new tactics from the AER
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The Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) today released a report into how banks provide inclusive and accessible banking services and support customers experiencing vulnerability. This is a media release from the Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC). It was originally published on 20th December, 2021. The BCCC’s Inquiry found that: banks have invested significant resources to support customers experiencing vulnerability…
Read More Banks’ support for customers experiencing vulnerability a work in progress
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Prepared by CFA Executive Member Ian Jarratt, of Queensland Consumers Association. He can be reached at ijarratt@australiamail.com. Recently, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) published two reports, aimed to support, and showcase the work of Consumer Organizations around the globe on The Right to Adequate Food. The reports are: Consumer Organizations and the Right to…
Read More FAO publishes reports on consumer organizations and the Right to Adequate Food
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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…
Read More New safety standard for portable non-aerosol fire extinguishers