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The Albanese Government’s additional protections for small businesses and consumers take effect today outlawing unfair contract terms to help level the playing field in negotiations between big corporations and both small businesses and consumers.
Read More Unfair Contract Terms Banned
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The USO is a longstanding telecommunications safeguard that ensures all Australians can access fixed phone services and payphones, regardless of where they live. The USO is currently delivered by Telstra, and relies on ageing copper wire that is increasingly expensive to maintain.
The consultation process will explore options to deliver better communications outcomes – particularly for rural and regional, and First Nations communities who currently rely on fixed phone services to stay connected.
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This information is shared so consumer representatives can keep up-to-date with developments in industry food labelling.
Read More Guidelines for Plant-Based Product Labelling
The logos and names of the organisations, professionals and advocates who signed the open letter
“We know all too well the harm that inadequate privacy protections cause. Gambling companies hound at-risk people with targeted advertising, data brokers sell our information without consent, and automated systems discriminate against marginalised people. We’ve also seen millions of consumers harmed by data breaches when businesses store too much personal information,” says CHOICE Senior Campaigns and Policy Advisor, Rafi Alam.
Read More Over 20 Advocates and Researchers Call for Urgent Privacy Reform
Drawing of a toy for an infant. If has a smiling face, string coming out of its head and a segmented body ending in a teething ring.
The ACCC will enforce the new toy safety standard which will make it mandatory for all toys marketed at children under three to adhere to strict design and testing requirements ensuring toys do not contain small parts.
Read More New Mandatory Safety Standards to Protect Children from Choking Hazards
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Original media release from the Hon. Mark Dreyfus KC MP (28/09/2023). The Albanese Government has committed to stronger privacy protections for Australians in its response today to the landmark review of the Privacy Act. Australians increasingly rely on digital technologies for work, education, health care and daily commercial transactions and to connect with loved ones.…
Read More Government to Strengthen Privacy Protections
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“This legislation is terrific,” Ms Levin said. “We’re delighted that it covers not only credit cards, but also digital wallets and digital currencies.”
Ms Levin said the one area of disappointment was a carve-out for online lotteries.
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The Federal Government is calling for feedback on its ‘Aviation Green Paper – towards 2050’, found here.
The Green Paper is the next step in the development of the Aviation White Paper which will set the policy direction for the aviation sector out to 2050 and is likely to be released in mid-2024.
Read More Aviation Green Paper Open for Consultation
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“COTA Australia has been calling for action to support older people better plan for retirement. Financial literacy and retirement income products are key elements to make sure people are confident to spend more than the legislated minimum draw down and support them to have a dignified retirement.”
Read More COTA: Federal Government Needs to Increase Services for All Ages
Consumer Protection
Almost a year after state and territory consumer ministers agreed to open consultation on options to address the gap in Australian Consumer Law (ACL) around unfair trading practices, Treasury has released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS) and given stakeholders 91 days to respond starting 31st August and ending 29th November 2023.
Read More Consumer Groups Advocate for Change as Consultations Open on Unfair Trading Practices
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The Treasurer has announced the appointment of Ms Katherine O’Rourke, currently a First Assistant Secretary at Treasury, as Commissioner from 11 September 2023. Mr Alan Kirkland, who is currently the CEO of leading consumer group CHOICE, and Ms Simone Constant, who is currently the Chief Risk Officer, Institutional Bank and Markets at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, will commence their terms on 20 November 2023.
Read More Three New Commissioners Welcomed to ASIC
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After many years of campaigning against the damaging practices of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) schemes, the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Competition, Charities, and Treasury Hon. Andrew Leigh MP has commended the Treasury Laws Amendment (2023 Measures No. 3) Bill 2023, partly designed to close loopholes utilised by BNPLs, to the House of Representatives.
Read More Win for Consumers: Anti-Avoidance Provision Bill Commended to the House
