Consumers' Federation of Australia

2 August , 2021

Views sought to help prevent deaths and injuries from toppling furniture and televisions

The ACCC is seeking submissions from stakeholders, including consumers, consumer safety advocates, the furniture and television industries, and medical professionals about the safety hazards posed by toppling furniture, such as bookshelves, drawers and televisions. This is an Australian Competition & Consumer Commission media release, originally published on 2nd August, 2021. There have been at least…

2 August , 2021

Government must go back to the drawing board on new Open Banking rules that undermine Australians’ privacy rights

Financial Rights Legal Centre is calling on the Australian Government to halt the introduction of new rules that will increase privacy and security risks for people when sharing their financial data. This is a Financial Rights Legal Centre media release, originally published on 30th July, 2021. The government should rescind proposals to: allow the transfer…

2 August , 2021

Federal government misses opportunity to help shoppers save at the checkout

The nation’s peak body for consumer organisations, the Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA) says shoppers will miss out on big savings possible when buying groceries, and other packaged products, as a result of federal government not improving the current Unit Pricing Code. The Code requires only large supermarkets and some online grocery retailers to provide…

29 July , 2021

AICD program scholarships available for directors, executives and emerging directors of NFP organisations

The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), in partnership with the Australian Scholarships Foundation (ASF), are pleased to make 200 full scholarships available to the Australian not-for-profit sector in 2021/2022. The scholarships will be offered in all states and territories across Australia and will enable directors, executives and emerging directors of NFP organisations with a turnover of…

28 July , 2021

Australian consumers back proposed solar export rule changes

Consumers have strongly backed proposed rule changes being considered by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) that are designed to enable growth in electricity exports from rooftop solar panels, enabling more Australians to share in the economic and environmental benefits. This is an Energy Consumers Australia media release, originally published on 27th July, 2021. The changes would allow…

26 July , 2021

Toward a meaningful right to repair

A ‘right to repair’ is the ability of consumers to have their products repaired at a competitive price using a repairer of their choice. A recent CHOICE consumer pulse survey identified that more than eight in ten (85%) people said that buying products that will last a long time is important to them and more…

20 July , 2021

Fraud and corruption control in your organisation

Australia ranks 11/180 in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2020 (-8 since 2012) and safeguarding against loss or having any connection to corruption is a key responsibility of all organisations. Managing the fraud and corruption risk to business is a governance issue and the recently published Australian standard is intended to apply to all organisations operating…

19 July , 2021

ACCC seeks feedback on safety of potentially deadly inclined sleeping products for infants

After a review into the safety of inclined infant sleeping products, the ACCC is now seeking views on how best to respond to these potentially deadly products. Infants can suffocate when sleeping in so-called ‘infant inclined products’, such as bouncers, rockers, swings, loungers, bassinet-type products, wedges, recliners and sleep accessories due to the incline, curvature…

19 July , 2021

Expectations for telcos in supporting vulnerable consumers

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is looking to improve the way the telco sector supports consumers in vulnerable circumstances, with a proposed Statement of Expectations for the industry released for consultation today. This is an Australian Communications and Media Authority media release, originally published on 14th July, 2021. ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said…

14 July , 2021

Public Survey on SA’s anti-ticket scalping laws

South Australians are being encouraged to comment on the effectiveness of the state’s existing anti-ticket scalping laws. Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Dini Soulio said the laws, which came into effect in December 2018, were being reviewed to see whether any improvements could be made. “Under these laws, it’s illegal to re-sell tickets to sporting or…

9 July , 2021

7 ways to fix the travel “cancellation chaos”

Consumer group CHOICE has asked Australian governments to fix Australia’s travel “cancellation chaos” with 7 urgent reforms, starting by making it easier for travellers to obtain refunds when plans are cancelled. This is a CHOICE media release, originally published on 8th July, 2021. CHOICE surveyed over 4,400 Australians who had travel plans disrupted by COVID-19…

7 July , 2021

More efficient lighting for consumers

With inefficient halogen lamps proposed to be phased out in Australia from late 2022, consumers will soon be looking for more certainty around performance claims for LED lamps. Lighting accounts for around 10% of electricity usage in households, and 18–40% of in commercial premises. The recently published Australian/NZ standard provides suppliers with a clear guidance on how to…