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Gift card users may be unfairly penalised for querying charges if proposed regulations go ahead. The Federal Government is consulting on draft legislation which would permit the charging of post-supply fees and fees for disputing transactions. CFA supports the submission made by member organisation, the Queensland Consumers’ Association (QCA), calling for disputed card fees or charges…
Read More Proposed fees for gift card users
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) will have investigative powers to assess whether a term in a standard form contract may be unfair, thanks to measures passed in the Parliament by the Coalition Government yesterday. This means the regulators will have stronger powers to ensure consumers…
Read More ACCC & ASIC given stronger powers over unfair contract terms
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Perth home owners are being warned about bogus door to door water testers who give the impression that they are from the Government, but are really sellers of water filtration systems. Several reports have been received about the door knockers, some in high-vis vests, who tell householders they are testing water quality in the area…
Read More Don’t be fooled by bogus door to door water testers
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Submissions by the Queensland Consumers Association and Choice on a recent Discussion Paper on the scope of Australia’s measurement laws, want the current review, and future laws, to: Be more driven by the needs of consumers and society in general and to not be excessively focused on measurement for economic activity and the needs of…
Read More Measurement Law Review should take more account of consumer needs
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Consumer advocates have welcomed the findings of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Retail Electricity Pricing Inquiry Final Report, released yesterday. Energy Consumers Australia Acting CEO Lynne Gallagher said the final report confirms what consumers have been saying: that the electricity market is not working as it should and not delivering good value for…
Read More Consumer advocates welcome ACCC Final Report on electricity market
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CHOICE welcomes the Federal Government’s options paper on added sugar today which includes options for strong measures for sugar labelling like visual labelling of teaspoons of sugar on sugar-sweetened beverages. “For years CHOICE has been calling for added sugar labelling and it’s great to see the Federal Government putting forward options that will allow Australians…
Read More Clear sugar labelling on the table
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The Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has published a consultation paper as part of its review into the WA Fitness Industry Code. Feedback is being sought from fitness services providers, consumers, industry associations and other interested parties as to the effectiveness and appropriateness of the Code. Attending a gym or fitness…
Read More WA Fitness Industry Code Review
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Australia’s leading consumer groups will join forces in Canberra today to call on the Federal Government to strengthen our laws to stop irresponsible, harmful lending practices in our financial services sector. “Irresponsible lending and crippling debt are having a real, devastating impact on Australians, putting people at risk of bankruptcy, homelessness and life-long debt,” says…
Read More Fair Finance Day of Action
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The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has admitted that competition among energy retailers is not delivering ‘expected benefits’ in its annual retail energy competition review. Consumer Action Law Centre and PIAC’s Energy and Water Consumers’ Advocacy Program (EWCAP) are calling for stronger action by energy retailers and regulators to ensure that the market is working…
Read More Consumer advocate groups call for action by energy retailers and regulators
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The following is a media release from Senator the Hon Zed Seselja, Assistant Minister for Science, Jobs and Innovation. Australians are being asked for their views on how to modernise the national measurement system as part of the Australian Government’s measurement law review. The Australian Government has marked World Metrology Day with the release of a…
Read More Public consultation commences on Australia’s measurement laws
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The Federal Government has released, and is seeking submissions and comments on, a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) which examines options for national regulation of gift card expiry dates. Information about the RIS and the consultation process is available here: https://consult.treasury.gov.au/market-and-competition-policy-division/c2018-t282459/ The consultation period closes on 30 May 2018. The RIS focuses on expiry periods and exemptions and…
Read More Regulation of Gift Card Expiry Periods: Federal Consultation Underway
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Consumer group CHOICE welcomes the Federal Budget measures that will make superannuation insurance opt-in, auto-reunite people with lost accounts and ban exit fees. “Making insurance in super opt-in rather than opt-out for people who are at greatest risk of being fleeced will make a huge difference to the retirement savings of millions of Australians,” says CHOICE…
Read More Welcome Budget boost for Super
