Consumers' Federation of Australia

17 May , 2020

Consumer groups say a self-regulatory code for Buy Now Pay Later lenders is no substitute for consumer protection in law

Thirteen consumer groups have joined together to provide a submission on the draft Buy Now Pay Later Code of Practice (BNPL code), developed by the Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA). While noting that industry codes can provide beneficial commitments, the consumer advocates consider inconsistent regulation among buy now pay later products and other consumer credit…

14 May , 2020

Using standards as a tool for consumer protection

UNCTAD held its first UNCTAD / ISO COPOLCO/ Consumers International joint webinar on Using standards as a tool for consumer protection. This webinar brought together standards experts and consumer agencies’ representatives to inform both communities about the work of COPOLCO and the standards it promotes – read the notes on the webinar here. Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) has two representatives on the Standards…

14 May , 2020

Helping motorists find the best deal at the bowser

The Marshall Liberal Government will deliver real time petrol pricing to South Australian motorists following the findings of an extensive review undertaken by the South Australian Productivity Commission. The Commission’s review found that while petrol price cycles still existed in those jurisdictions that did have fuel price monitoring, the presence of real time pricing data…

13 May , 2020

Celebrating volunteers during National Volunteer Week May 18-24

National Volunteer Week is the annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of the nation’s volunteers, especially during this challenging time. Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) takes this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who represent CFA and put forward the consumer perspective on a range of bodies, organisations and committees, including Standards Australia Technical…

12 May , 2020

Industry Code for Visiting Residential Aged Care Homes during COVID-19

The ‘Industry Code for Visiting Residential Aged Care Homes during COVID-19’ has been released by 13 aged care peak bodies and consumer advocacy organisations. The Code creates a nationally consistent approach that ensures residents can receive visitors while minimising the risk of spreading COVID-19. Click here to download the Code. The Code, a suggestion of…

12 May , 2020

Banking Code: The Compliance Committee’s approach to consumer protection

Many Australians are facing exceptional financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are likely to need the support and assistance of their bank to help them deal with its impacts. The 2019 Banking Code of Practice provides safeguards and protections for banks’ individual and small business customers and includes many obligations which require banks…

8 May , 2020

Consumers urged to look out for employment opportunity scams in the wake of COVID-19

The Queensland Office of Fair Trading warns of employment opportunity scams in the following media release. COVID-19 has unleashed literally hundreds of scams across Australia and the next ones the Queensland Office of Fair Trading wants consumers to watch out for are employment opportunity scams. Fair Trading Executive Director Brian Bauer said scammers hiding behind…

8 May , 2020

ASIC warns consumers: Investment advertising is not always ‘true to label’

ASIC warns consumers about investment advertising that compares fixed-term investment products to bank term deposits. A surge in such marketing of fixed-term investment products in recent months has prompted ASIC to caution consumers to take care making investment decisions based on such advertising. ASIC is monitoring such advertising and the entities involved because of reports…

5 May , 2020

Free standard on construction in bushfire prone areas

Living in bushfire pone areas has its risks and anyone planning to build or re-build following the recent devastating bushfires should consult the Australian Standard that covers the bushfire safety requirements of building in the area and provides the methodology for calculating your bushfire attack level. The Australian Standard AS 3959:2018 Construction in bushfire prone areas is a…

4 May , 2020

Consumers’ Federation of Australia responds to proposed button battery regulation options

CFA has made a submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Button Battery Taskforce. The ACCC launched the taskforce to investigate the safety of button batteries and the products that contain them. Button batteries pose a severe injury risk for young children and other vulnerable groups, like the elderly and those with dementia,…

4 May , 2020

Consumers’ Federation of Australia responds to COVID19 cooperation proposals from banks & supermarkets

The Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA), the peak body for consumer groups nationally, has made two submissions to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) responding to authorisation applications from Australia’s banks and supermarkets. Businesses can seek authorisation from the ACCC where conduct risks breaching competition laws but is in the public interest. More than…

29 April , 2020

Record issuance of debit cards to help isolated or vulnerable customers

Australian Banking Association says Australian banks will issue a record number of debit cards (Mastercard or VISA debit) to customers who don’t have them and who may be self-isolating to make sure they can continue to pay for their goods and services online or over the phone throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently there are over…