Consumers' Federation of Australia

18 November , 2021

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

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,…

18 November , 2021

Why do we need a whistleblowing management system?

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…

15 November , 2021

Views sought on caravan industry

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,…

9 November , 2021

Banking Code Committee publishes 2020-21 Annual Report

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…

8 November , 2021

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

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…

8 November , 2021

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

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…

2 November , 2021

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

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…

2 November , 2021

Benefits from more competition in internet search

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,…

2 November , 2021

Major super funds still clinging to junk insurance

Super Consumers Australia is today calling on funds like NGS, Prime Super and Spirit Super to dump junk insurance terms that are putting Australians at risk. The call comes after a sustained campaign over the last two years that has seen over half the market remove or dramatically reduce the impact of this junk insurance.…

2 November , 2021

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

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…

2 November , 2021

Consultation Regulation Impact Statement closing soon

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…

1 November , 2021

Telco complaints down but customers wait longer for help

New figures released today by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) show telcos received just over one million complaints in the 2020-21 financial year. The report also found that the average time taken for telcos to resolve customer complaints was 12.2 days. This is a media release from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). It was…