ACCC Archives - Page 3 of 28 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

12 November , 2024

Less Competition and Higher Prices as Rex Suspends Operations

Domestic airline passengers face less choice and higher airfares following Rex’s recent exit from services between metropolitan cities, the ACCC’s latest Domestic Airline Competition report has found. Since Rex suspended operations on its services between metropolitan cities on 31 July 2024, the average airfare on all Major City routes has increased by 13.3 per cent to September…

6 November , 2024

Public Hearings for Supermarket Inquiry to be Livestreamed

The ACCC will conduct a series of public hearings from 7 to 22 November as part of its ongoing Supermarkets Inquiry. The public hearings will be livestreamed via the ACCC website and will be an opportunity for the ACCC to gain a more complete understanding of the key issues in the retail grocery sector and its…

2 October , 2024

ACCC seeks Consultation on Potential Competition Concerns with Sigma/Chemist Warehouse Acquisition

The ACCC is seeking views on a proposed court-enforceable undertaking offered by Sigma Healthcare Limited (ASX: SIG) in relation to its proposed acquisition of Chemist Warehouse Group Holdings. Sigma is one of the largest wholesalers of prescription medicines, over the counter and front of store products. Sigma is also a franchisor of pharmacies under banners…

1 October , 2024

Additional Funding for Investigation and Enforcement of Retail and Supermarket Sectors Welcomed

The ACCC welcomed today’s announcement by the Treasurer of $30 million over 3.5 years in additional funding for investigations and enforcement relating to the supermarket and retail sector. ACCC Chair Cass-Gottlieb said the additional resources would allow for a significant enhancement of the ACCC’s enforcement and compliance activities in an essential sector relied upon by…

25 September , 2024

Regulators Release Working Paper on an AI Generative Model

The Digital Platform Regulators Forum (DP-REG) has published a working paper on multimodal foundation models (MFMs) used in generative artificial intelligence (AI). The latest working paper “Examination of technology – Multimodal Foundation Models” examines MFMs – a type of generative AI that can process and output multiple data types, such as image, audio or video…

20 September , 2024

Calls Continue for Consumer Regulators to Release Data

The majority of Australia’s consumer regulators are missing the opportunity to act as an early warning system for dodgy businesses, according to new research from the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). The Am I The Only One? report, released today, finds that most Australian consumer regulators do not publish regular complaints data in an accessible…

19 September , 2024

Savings from Cyclone Reinsurance Pool Present, Offset by Cost Increases

The Australian Government’s cyclone reinsurance pool has begun delivering lower premiums for some consumers in some regions facing higher risk of cyclones, the ACCC’s third insurance monitoring report has found. However, the savings generated by the reinsurance pool have been offset to varying extents by other cost increases affecting insurance markets. These costs include the broader hardening…

18 September , 2024

National Anti-Scam Centre Launches Online Scamwatch Advice in 17 Languages

Important advice about how people in Australia can protect themselves from scams is now available online in an additional 17 languages other than English on the National Anti-Scam Centre’s Scamwatch website. The new in-language videos and updated written advice on how to spot and avoid scams will make Scamwatch an even more useful resource for culturally and linguistically…

13 September , 2024

Collaboration to Support Cash-in-Transit Services Given Interim Authorisation

The ACCC has granted authorisation to allow the Australian Banking Association (ABA), its member banks, Australia Post, retailers, supermarkets and other industry participants to collaborate so they can ensure there is continuity of cash-in-transit services.The ACCC’s authorisation allows the parties to collaborate and prepare for any suspension or disruption of cash-in-transit services.“It is important that…

26 August , 2024

Scam Awareness Week: Share a Story, Stop a Scam

This Scams Awareness Week (26 to 30 August) the National Anti-Scam Centre is encouraging Australians to speak up, share their experiences with others and to report scams to Scamwatch. “We all have a part to play in shutting down criminal scammers. By talking to each other, we can make sure no one is alone in the fight…

22 August , 2024

ACCC Finds New and Expanding Airlines Face ‘significant challenges’ as Concern Remains Over Domestic Airline Competition

The ACCC will continue to closely monitor domestic airfares on services between metropolitan cities following Rex’s withdrawal from this market, the ACCC’s latest domestic airline competition report states. The report shows improved conditions for consumers with declines in airfares, reduced cancellations and improved on time rates for flights over the first half of 2024. However, the ACCC…

16 August , 2024

ACCC Seeks Feedback on Proposed Flooring Recycling Scheme

The ACCC is proposing to grant authorisation for ResiLoop to establish and operate a voluntary, industry-led product stewardship scheme (the Scheme) that collects and recycles resilient flooring waste. Resilient flooring is floorcoverings made from natural mineral fillers combined with materials such as vinyl, linoleum or rubber. Approximately 60,000 tonnes of resilient flooring waste is generated each year…