Consumers' Federation of Australia

31 May , 2021

Public consultation for a National Register of Enduring Powers of Attorney

Attorneys-General from each Australian jurisdiction have taken a leading role in pursuing reforms to enduring document arrangements. A mandatory national registration scheme for enduring powers of attorney relating to financial matters has been proposed as one way to reduce the financial abuse of older Australians. Attorneys-General from each Australian jurisdiction have agreed to consult on…

26 May , 2021

Tougher rules banning aggressive energy & solar sales a big win for all Victorians

Consumer Action has welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement today that it is banning high-pressure sales tactics like unsolicited door-to-door sales and cold-calling to protect people from being taken advantage of by energy retailers. The Victorian Government has also announced plans to ban door-to-door sales of solar panels through the Solar Homes Program. This is a Consumer Action Law Centre media release, originally published on 25th…

25 May , 2021

Confused about IoT terminology?

Wireless networks have enabled the Internet of Things (IoT) to connect the billions of physical devices around the world to the internet, enabling them to communicate real-time data without involving a human being. Consumers Federation of Australia is supporting a representative to participate on the Standards Australia Technical Committee on IoT, to bring the consumer perspective to…

19 May , 2021

CFA & ACCC Consumer Advocacy Showcase & Award Winners

On Monday 12 April, Consumers’ Federation Australia (CFA) and the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) co-hosted the Consumer Advocacy Showcase & Award, in the final online session for the 2021 ACCC National Consumer Congress. The Showcase celebrates effective and good practice within consumer advocacy. The joint-winners were Fiona Guthrie, with Who’s Making Australians Bankrupt?; and Matthias Oldham, with Junk Insurance…

18 May , 2021

National Volunteer Week

Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) depends on the volunteers who represent CFA on Standards Australia Technical Committees as part of the CFA Standards Project and on a range of Government and Industry bodies. During National Volunteer Week, CFA acknowledges their contribution and thanks them for their commitment and hard work in supporting the interests of consumers. The theme for…

12 May , 2021

Older Australians to benefit from Budget’s employment and super reforms; consultation needed on support payments, retirement income

Older Australians will benefit from several measures in the Federal Budget aimed at increasing workforce participation and fixing retirement incomes, Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia says, but support for vulnerable groups like renters is still missing and long-term solutions are needed to ensure vulnerable Australians are adequately supported. This is a Council on the Ageing…

12 May , 2021

Federal Budget “a step towards fairer super”

Super Consumers acknowledges positive steps, with the reforms to deliver fairer super outcomes for women and additional funding for consumer advocacy “Tonight’s budget is a step towards fairer super”, says Xavier O’Halloran, director of Super Consumers Australia. “We welcome the progress made. Financial comfort in retirement is key to people’s wellbeing. Nobody should be left…

5 May , 2021

ME Bank named for breaches of the Banking Code

The Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) has sanctioned Members Equity Bank (ME Bank) for serious and systemic breaches of the Banking Code. The BCCC found that ME Bank’s communications to impacted customers about changes to their redraw amounts in April 2020 were poor and ineffective. The Code’s Guiding Principles require banks to be accountable and transparent in…

3 May , 2021

New guide to choosing and using mobility scooters & powered wheelchairs

Each year, over 1,000 Australians are admitted to hospital due to incidents involving mobility scooters. Almost all these injuries occur to device users, but there are also concerns about wider community safety due to the increasing use of these devices. The updated ‘Guide to choosing and using mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs’ helps consumers: Decide whether a…

3 May , 2021

LCCC Annual Industry Data and Compliance Report 2019-20

A challenging year for life insurers and their customers highlights the importance of the Code The Life Code Compliance Committee (the Committee) – the independent Committee which monitors and enforces industry compliance with the Life Insurance Code of Practice (the Code) – today released its 2019–20 Annual Industry Data and Compliance Report. This is a Life…

30 April , 2021

Feedback given on the draft National Preventative Health Strategy

The Queensland Consumers Association (a member of CFA) has made a written submission on the Draft National Preventative Heath Strategy. The draft Strategy was released recently for comment and was developed following responses to a 2020 Consultation Paper, on which CFA made a submission. The Vision is: To improve the health of all Australians at…

30 April , 2021

Electricity Customers on a standing offer will share in over $65 million of bill savings

Thousands of customers on a standing offer contract across New South Wales, South-East Queensland and South Australia will share in over $65 million of bill savings in 2021-22 following the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) today releasing the final Default Market Offer (DMO). This is an Australian Energy Regulator media release, originally published on 27th April, 2021. The final…