Consumers' Federation of Australia

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…

2 July , 2021

CFA and member organisations call for changes to proposed new federal Unit Pricing Code

CFA has made a submission to the federal government on its draft new Grocery Unit Pricing Industry Code of Conduct. The submission disagrees strongly with the conclusions of the review of the current Code and with the proposed new Code’s provisions (which are identical to those of the current Code). It also argues that implementation…

2 July , 2021

Super lobby groups fail to keep promises to consumers

Super fund lobby groups have dumped a code of conduct that could have improved how funds handle life insurance claims. Consumer groups Super Consumers Australia and Financial Rights Legal Centre are calling out a self-interested move from industry lobby groups including the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST), the Association of Super Funds Australia (ASFA)…

30 June , 2021

BCCC publishes 2021-24 Strategic Plan and 2021-22 Business Plan

The Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) has published its 2021-24 Strategic Plan and 2021-22 Business Plan. The 2021-24 Strategic Plan outlines the areas we will focus on to achieve our purpose for the period 2021–22 to 2023–24, including taking action to: improve the visibility of the BCCC enhance our intelligence sources and identify important issues expand our engagement with consumer stakeholders…

30 June , 2021

The need of an ‘UN Consumer Global Compact’

Presented at the 2021 UN Trade Forum, Geneva – June 2021 In recognition of the digital economy and the growth of big tech and sharing platforms, a call has been made to ask responsible businesses to voluntarily join a principles-based approach to doing business globally, a new ‘UN Consumer Global Compact’ which seeks to enhance…

30 June , 2021

Get involved in the development of Australian standards with NEXTgen 2021-22 programs

The Standards Australia NEXTgen 2021-22 Program selects emerging industry and technical experts and provides them with an exciting opportunity to become involved in the national and international standardisation processes developing important standards of benefit to the Australian community. The goal of the program is to support the future of standards development through investing in the next generation of…

24 June , 2021

Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee report shows consumer credit insurance obligations are ongoing

A follow-up inquiry into consumer credit insurance (CCI) has shown that, while customer owned banking institutions have stopped selling add-on CCI, they still have a duty to their customers when it comes to managing loans with active policies and providing referrals to insurance providers. The independent committee that monitors the Customer Owned Banking Code of…

24 June , 2021

Button batteries – new requirements for suppliers

In Australia, one child a month is seriously injured after swallowing or inserting a button battery and the ACCC has identified a number of ways to protect your family. The ACCC is also encouraging suppliers to comply with the new requirements on button batteries as soon as possible and has developed A Guide for Business on the Application of…