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Sending money overseas, and buying foreign cash, will be the focus of a new ACCC inquiry into foreign currency conversion services. “Whether you’re buying Euros from your bank for an upcoming trip, sending money to family in Indonesia, or you’re a small business trading with suppliers in New Zealand, foreign exchange services are used by…
Read More ACCC commences inquiry into foreign exchange
ACCC Chair Rod Sims has put telecommunications companies on notice to ensure their advertising is clear and transparent or face court action from the regulator, including much higher penalties and a warning that the ACCC may bring proceedings against executives who knowingly approve misleading advertisements. Earlier this year the ACCC began investigating Optus, Vodafone and…
Read More Telcos on notice about false and misleading advertising
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The ACCC has released comprehensive state-by-state data detailing recall rates for deadly Takata airbags, and the first data detailing progress made by various vehicle manufacturers in removing them from Australian cars. The ACCC says one year since the ACCC started overseeing the Takata airbag recall, 1.8 million potentially deadly airbags still need replacing as part…
Read More Almost two million deadly Takata airbags still in Australian cars
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After 1 July, Australian consumers will have much greater certainty about the origins of the food they buy, due to the introduction of mandatory Country of Origin food labelling. The ACCC will conduct market surveillance checks on 10,000 food products to ensure businesses are correctly displaying the new labels. All businesses – including manufacturers, processors…
Read More Country of origin food labelling surveillance to commence
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The ACCC is inviting members of the public to a attend forum this month to share their experiences using digital platforms like Google and Facebook. The consumer forum will be held on 29 May in Melbourne. The ACCC is asking interested members of the public to come along and share their view on important issues such as…
Read More Invitation to attend ACCC forum on digital platforms
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Following the Treasurer’s response to the Open Banking Review, the ACCC welcomes the introduction of a general data right for all consumers and $20 million in the Federal Budget over the next four years to oversee its implementation. The consumer data right will enable customers to share their transaction, usage and product data with service competitors…
Read More ACCC Welcomes Consumer Data Right
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
The Consumers’ Federation of Australia welcomes today’s announcement by the Treasurer Scott Morrison that current ACCC Commissioner Mick Keogh has been appointed Deputy Chair from the end of May for a period of five years. Mr Keogh will oversee the ACCC’s small business work in addition to his current role leading our agriculture work. Cristina…
Read More CFA welcomes ACCC Deputy Chair and Commissioner reappointments
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The Turnbull Government has released the terms of reference for a review into consumer safeguards in the telecommunications sector. The review will be undertaken in three parts: 1. Ensuring that consumers have access to an effective complaints handling and redress scheme that provides transparency and holds telcos accountable for their performance. 2. Ensuring consumers…
Read More Government announces telecommunications Consumer Safeguards Review
Ruby Hutchison
The following is an edited extract of the 2018 Ruby Hutchison Memorial Lecture, presented by Fiona Guthrie AM, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Counselling Australia. The annual lecture is a CHOICE and ACCC co-project. Queensland’s Courier Mail recently ran a front-page story about payday loans. It told the story of Trina Begg, a single mother of…
Read More Fiona Guthrie AM presents 2018 Ruby Hutchison Memorial Lecture
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The ACCC has proposed major changes to improve the safety of quad bikes, including the introduction of a safety rating system, crush protection devices and mandatory minimum performance standards. Tragically, quad bike accidents result in an average of 16 deaths in Australia each year. They also result in approximately six people per day attending a…
Read More ACCC moves to improve quad bike safety
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The ACCC’s Scamwatch is urging all Australians who lost money to a scammer through Western Union from 2004 to 2017 to take action by 31 May 2018* to try to get it back. Western Union has agreed to pay a penalty of US$586 million to the United States’ Department of Justice (DOJ) after admitting to…
Read More Deadline extended for victims scammed via Western Union
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Growing numbers of Australian consumers are opting for organic products, and should be able to feel confident that the ingredients are in fact organic. Many products carry a symbol, logo or other trade mark to show that they are certified organic. This certification is currently performed by 7 private bodies that are accredited by the Department…
Read More Don’t panic, it’s organic!
