Consumers' Federation of Australia

14 December , 2020

“Failed to protect consumers”: CHOICE on ASIC’s timeshare regulations

Consumer advocate CHOICE has released a statement in response to ASIC’s updated regulatory guide on time-sharing schemes, stating that ASIC has failed to clean up the harmful timeshare industry. The following is a CHOICE media release. “ASIC’s new rules for timeshare schemes have failed to protect consumers. ASIC has taken years to assess the regulations…

14 December , 2020

More opportunities to participate in the review of the food regulation system

Consultations are currently occurring on two more phases of the major review of the food regulation system that operates in Australia and New Zealand. Stakeholder views are being sought on consultation papers prepared by consultants on: Consistency of food regulatory approaches (responses due by 18 December) Aspirations for the food regulatory system (responses due by…

11 December , 2020

Consumers benefit from reduced prices in a year affected by COVID

Mobile consumers received much better value over 2019-20, as reported in the ACCC’s just released annual Communications Market Report. This is an ACCC Media Release The report also shows that communications networks successfully met the significant challenges posed by COVID-19 in 2020 and details significant trends and market developments in fixed broadband and mobile markets. Mobile…

11 December , 2020

Consumer groups comment on Banking Royal Commission reforms

Consumer groups welcome yesterday’s passage of Royal Commission recommendations into law, but condemn the government for introducing the law to axe safe lending laws into the House. This is a joint media release by CHOICE, Consumer Action, Financial Counselling Australia and Financial Rights Legal Centre. “This week the government has proposed to slightly strengthen and…

9 December , 2020

Victoria’s energy reforms positive but enforcement needed: Consumer Action

Victoria has taken the lead among Australian states in recent years with significant reforms designed to protect Victorians from being ripped off by energy retailers and ensure people receive appropriate hardship assistance. There has been some success, but too many people are still falling through the gaps. This is a Consumer Action Media Release That’s…

9 December , 2020

Health funds pay policyholders $500 million less due to COVID-19

Insurers have paid out $500 million less in hospital and extras benefits in 2019-20 compared to the previous year, the latest ACCC annual report into the private health insurance industry has found. This is an ACCC Media Release. The reduced benefit payout was the result of government-imposed restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited non-urgent…

8 December , 2020

Issues paper released for the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Right to Repair

The Productivity Commission has released an issues paper to assist individuals and organisations to prepare submissions to the Inquiry into Right to Repair. Right to Repair is a consumer’s ability to repair faulty goods, or access repair services, at a competitive price. This can include repair by a manufacturer, a third-party, or self-repair. The inquiry…

4 December , 2020

New research highlights urgent need to close digital divide for Indigenous communities

New analysis commissioned by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) shows that urgent action is needed to address the digital divide in remote Indigenous communities in the wake of COVID-19 lockdowns. This is an ACCAN Media Release While much of the nation turned to digital services such as videoconferencing and telehealth during the rolling…

2 December , 2020

New rules to detect, trace and block scam calls

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has today registered new rules that require telcos to detect, trace and block scam calls. The Reducing Scam Calls Code, developed by the telco industry, was a direct recommendation of the ACMA’s Combating Scams Action Plan. This is an ACMA Media Release The ACMA has worked closely with telcos and peak…

2 December , 2020

Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee releases Annual Report for 2019-20

The independent committee that monitors the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice (the Code) has released its annual report for a year marked by natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, along with extensive regulatory changes stemming from the Financial Services Royal Commission. This is a Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee Media Release Customer owned…

2 December , 2020

Congratulations to CFA representatives appointed to an international mentorship program involving Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and the Seychelles

ISO/COPOLCO Capacity building mentorship program has appointed 10 mentors to work with representatives from 11 countries in Africa, the four appointed from Australia are all CFA Standards Representatives – John Henry working with participants in Malawi and Botswana, John Furbank with participants in the Seychelles, Antonio Bonacruz with participants in Zimbabwe and Heather Grain with participants in Zambia. The program aims to attain concrete standards-related consumer protection objectives and…

30 November , 2020

Young people wading in sea of debt as they bear the brunt of COVID-19

Consumer data released by the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) reveals a growing proportion of young Australians left vulnerable as they face a future of mounting debt due to the lasting impact of COVID-19. This is a CPRC Media Release After 6 months of steep financial challenges, many young consumers have turned to unsustainable practices to get…