consumer advocacy Archives - Page 8 of 9 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

25 January , 2024

Proposed Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Reforms

In February 2023, health ministers announced they would take action to ensure the management of professional misconduct by health practitioners relating to sexual misconduct and sexual boundary violations would better meet community expectations.

Health ministers are seeking feedback to determine if amendments to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law are needed to provide greater transparency to the public about health practitioners’ regulatory history when they have engaged in sexual misconduct or sexual boundary violations.

15 January , 2024

Insurance Survey – Experiences with External Experts

The General Insurance Code Governance Committee (GICGC) has opened a survey asking for consumer experiences with experts involved on assessing loss or damage for home insurance claims. The GICGC’s goal with this survey is to examine how insurers monitor external expert opinions on the causes of loss or damage. The survey should take no more…

4 January , 2024

Strong Consumer Voice for Superannuation Sector Announced

In the 2023–24 Budget, the Government announced funding to support a consumer advocate in the superannuation sector. This means that consumers will have an independent voice advocating for better outcomes on their behalf to Government and industry.

Super Consumers Australia has been chosen as the successful recipient of this funding, following an open and competitive grant process. Super Consumers Australia will promote the interests of members by representing members in policy development and supporting better member understanding of the superannuation system.

12 December , 2023

Report Released, “Australians for Sale: Targeted Advertising, Data Brokering and Consumer Manipulation”

This report documents the nature of some of the more troubling consumer manipulation practices currently occurring in Australia. It explores how targeted advertising affects people who gamble, consume alcohol, are experiencing financial stress, and how it affects children and young people. Each case study describes potential consumer harm and rights violations and goes on to include evidence from the ‘Xandr File’ about the nature of data that is routinely traded for targeted advertising about each of these groups.

A brave, bold and strong response to this issue is necessary, and long overdue.
A wide range of measures could be implemented to curb this practice

Foreword co-signed by Reset, CHOICE, and CPRC

11 December , 2023

T’s & C’s In and Out of Australia

Yesterday, the High Court unanimously ruled in favour of the passengers. In so doing, it put companies doing business in Australia on notice that Australia’s consumer protection laws apply both inside and outside the country’s borders.

It decided the class action waiver was unfair to the passengers. This was because Australian consumer law prohibits unfair consumer contracts and because the express terms of that law apply to companies doing business in Australia, regardless of whether they are headquartered in Australia or overseas.

As the High Court explained, a price of a company doing business in Australia is that it must adhere to Australia’s consumer protection laws.

11 December , 2023

Building a Resilient Future – Day 3 of Consumers International Global Congress

A report from our Consumers International Global Congress representative, Deputy Chair Chandni Gupta Final day of the 2023 Global Congress and the pace remained fast and fascinating with enlightening presentations with a key focus on sustainability to close off the conference. Below are some highlights from Day 3. Sustainable appliances for a green transition An…

8 December , 2023

Motor Car Traders Claims Committee – Consumer Member

The Motor Car Traders Claims Committee (the Committee) is a statutory committee established under the Motor Car Traders Act 1986 (the Act). The function of the committee is to consider and determine claims for compensation made against the Motor Car Traders Guarantee Fund (the Fund).

this role you will be responsible for:

Determining claims made by consumers against the Fund

Seeking advice and information on the claim from any person or body

Requesting the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, police and public authorities provide information to the Committee.

Please refer to the Position Description for a full list of the responsibilities of this role.

8 December , 2023

C is for Collaboration – Day 2 of Consumers International Global Congress

Today the Congress was abuzz with passionate consumer advocates, experts and regulators taking a deep dive into everything from scams and AI to greenwashing and digital wallets. But at the heart of so many discussions today was the value of and the critical need to collaborate. It was recognised that collaboration both within and across borders is needed to help raise the voices on key issues impacting consumers and to learn from one another. Below are some of the highlights from Day 2!

7 December , 2023

65% of People Don’t Trust Business to Use Their Data Responsibly: CHOICE

New research from CHOICE has revealed 65% of people don’t trust businesses to use their data responsibly and in their best interest – an increase of 25% from 2022.

“It’s no surprise more people don’t trust companies to use their data responsibly. Over the past year we’ve seen the terrible consequences data breaches can have for those affected by them, including at Medibank and Latitude,” says Senior Campaigns and Policy Advisor Rafi Alam.

8 November , 2023

TIO Looking to Appoint Director with Consumer Experience

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Limited (TIO) is seeking expressions of interest to appoint a Director with Consumer Experience, to commence in February 2024 with their first meeting in April.

The TIO promotes equal opportunity with a commitment to being inclusive and encouraging diversity.

31 October , 2023

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

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…

25 October , 2023

Inquiry into the capability of law enforcement to respond to cybercrime

The Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) was recently contacted (below) by and about the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement’s new inquiry into cybercrime. As per our new Strategic Plan, CFA will not be writing up a separate submission but will instead network and assist members and other consumer advocates and organisations with their submissions.…