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Over 90 per cent of identified unsafe product listings were removed within two business days by online businesses signed up to the Australian Product Safety Pledge. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was originally published on 19th November, 2021. The voluntary initiative commits signatories to 12 product safety actions, that go…

Read More ACCC’s product safety pledge improves consumer safety online

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The Australian Government is seeking to align regulation across the aged care, disability support and veterans’ care sector. The 2021-22 Budget encompasses a range of measures including short to long term program reforms. To progress this work, the Cross Agency Taskforce on Regulatory Alignment is now inviting input from a range of stakeholders, including consumers,…

Read More Aligning regulation across aged care, disability support & veteran’s care

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Whistleblowers play an important role in identifying and calling out misconduct and harm to consumers and the community. The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) identifies the obligations of companies under the Corporations Act if they receive a report from a whistleblower and the requirement to have a whistleblowing policy. Whistleblowing processes – or systems for encouraging…

Read More Why do we need a whistleblowing management system?

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Australians who have recently bought a new caravan are being urged to participate in an ACCC survey about possible consumer law issues in the industry. The ACCC has received more than 1,300 reports about the caravan industry over the past five years. Common complaints include retailers selling new caravans that do not meet consumer guarantees,…

Read More Views sought on caravan industry

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The Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) Annual Report for 2020-21 highlights concerns about banks’ compliance with their guarantees and direct debits obligations under the Banking Code of Practice (the Code). This is a media release from the Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC). It was originally published on 8th November, 2021. The BCCC has also shared good practice guidance to improve industry…

Read More Banking Code Committee publishes 2020-21 Annual Report

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The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) should immediately investigate how life insurers treat people with past or current mental health conditions, in response to continuing widespread discrimination by life insurers. This is a media release from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre. It was originally published on 8th November, 2021. This is a key recommendation of Mental Health Discrimination…

Read More Mental health discrimination by insurers: new report calls for urgent ASIC investigation

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More than 350 partners across government, private and community organisations have joined the fight against scams in this year’s national Scams Awareness Week (8-12 November) under the theme “let’s talk scams”. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was originally published on 8th November, 2021. “The more we talk about scams, the more awareness we…

Read More ‘Stop scams. Speak up’ – Scams Awareness Week 2021

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Reform urgently needed to give Australians clear and fair rights when travel has to be cancelled  New CHOICE research has revealed that only 23% of Australians feel confident to make travel plans in the next 12 months. This is a media release from CHOICE. It was originally published on 26th October, 2021. This statistic is not surprising, given…

Read More New research reveals only 23% of Australians feel confident making travel plans in next 12 months: CHOICE

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Measures addressing Google’s dominance in search engine services, including a choice screen that provides consumers with a selection of search engines, should be introduced in Australia, as set out in the ACCC’s third Digital Platform Services Inquiry interim report. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was originally published on 28th October,…

Read More Benefits from more competition in internet search

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CHOICE survey reveals widespread public support for passage of Banking Royal Commission draft laws. “The Australian community has not forgotten the scandals of the Banking Royal Commission. However, it’s been two and a half years since the Federal Government committed to cleaning up the banking industry. Many victims remain without the compensation they deserve while…

Read More “Justice delayed is justice denied”: CHOICE on overdue Banking Royal Commission draft laws

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The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) is proposing to update the energy efficiency provisions for residential buildings in the 2022 edition of the National Construction Code (NCC). The proposed provisions are included in stage 2 of the NCC 2022 public comment draft (PCD). This is a consultation from the Australian Building Codes Board. It was originally published on…

Read More Consultation Regulation Impact Statement closing soon