Ageing

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People with a disability and older persons are some of the most vulnerable in Australia.  They need to have their voice heard on issues that are important to them to protect and promote their rights. For this reason, the requirements established by a new Draft Standard on Ageing and Disability is to provide uniform minimum…

Read More Have Your Say: New Advocacy in Ageing and Disability Standard Opens for Public Consultation

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Older Australians will be asked to share their knowledge, insights and perspectives on our aged care system over the coming weeks as part of a consultation process looking at strengthening and improving the laws governing aged care.
The consultations follow the release of the Australian Government’s Consultation Paper on the new Aged Care Act – a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety – as well as the release of principles guiding aged care funding.

Read More Older People Must be Consulted on New Aged Care Act and New Principles for Aged Care Funding

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A thematic review of how superannuation trustees are supporting their members under the Retirement Income Covenant has found that trustees need to make more progress to enhance retirement outcomes. The review was conducted jointly by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Read More APRA, ASIC: Super trustees need to improve retirement outcomes planning’

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With the release of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority’s (APRA) ‘Choice Heatmap‘ which provides greater performance transparency and scrutiny on various multi-sector Choice investment options, Super Consumers Australia (SCA) released a media statement on 26/04/2023 (below) calling for more transparency and testing while emphasising the specific vulnerability of Australian retirees: “It is appalling that after…

Read More “Some super funds shouldn’t be in the market”

COTA

The trend towards digital and cashless banking is already negatively impacting many vulnerable Australians as COTA (Council on the Ageing) highlighted in their recent media release, as seen below: The closure of cash services at bank branches risks cutting off access to vital and basic banking services for many older Australians, particularly our most vulnerable,…

Read More COTA: Don’t lock vulnerable Australians out of banking

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The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), along with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), has found that while direct debit may work for some consumers direct debits automatic system and lack of flexibility created unfair additional costs and financial distress for vulnerable consumers. In a media release (05/04/2023) ACCAN said: A thriving and competitive…

Read More Direct Debit for Telcos and Utilities a Problem for Vulnerable Consumers

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After an extensive consultation process, new retirement savings targets for homeowners are ready to help Australians get started on their retirement plan. This is a media release from Super Consumers Australia. It was originally published on 18th July, 2022. “Among the most important financial questions retirement-planning Australians face is how much they need to save and what income…

Read More How much do you need to save for retirement?

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Customer-owned banking institutions may need to step up support for consumers experiencing vulnerability as pressures on people increase and ahead of the introduction of more stringent obligations under a new Code of Practice, a new Report says. This is a media release from Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee. It was originally published on 23rd June, 2022.  While saying many…

Read More Report backs greater support for vulnerable customers