Consumer protection Archives - Page 19 of 38 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

27 June , 2023

“Historic moment for consumer financial protection”: CHOICE on the passage of compensation scheme of last resort

The Federal Parliament has passed the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort) Bill 2023 to establish an industry-funded compensation scheme of last resort for victims of financial misconduct. Quotes attributable to Alan Kirkland, Chief Executive Officer of CHOICE: “The introduction of a compensation scheme of last resort is an historic moment…

20 June , 2023

Have Your Say on Child Car Restraints

Child safety in the car includes appropriate child car restraints to keep children safe inside cars, find out more on ACCC Product safety which includes recalls of products that do not comply to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) child restraints mandatory standard.

20 June , 2023

Infant Inclined Product and Sudden Death

Infant incline products may be marketed for sleep, however they are unsafe for babies to sleep in. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) advises reports indicate 151 babies in Australia have died in inclined products such as rockers, bouncers, and on propped items.

20 June , 2023

Australian Energy Regulator Outlines its 2023-24 Compliance and Enforcement Priorities

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has outlined its 2023–2024 Compliance and Enforcement Priorities to protect energy consumers and keep the energy system stable and secure during the transition.

13 June , 2023

Button Battery Awareness Day 12th June 2023

Australia’s first International Button Battery Awareness Day aims to spread further awareness about the dangers of button batteries among schools, parents, caregivers and childhood educators through the delivery of an educational program designed for early childhood and primary school aged children. In Australia, around 20 children a week present to an emergency department with a button…

6 June , 2023

FSC to Rollout Changes to Life Insurance Code

From an FSC media release (02/06/2023): The Financial Services Council (FSC) is proud to announce the upcoming implementation of the New Life Code of Practice (new Life Code) on 1 July 2023, which will introduce over 50 comprehensive consumer protections that will change the way customers interact with their life insurers. FSC, CEO, Blake Briggs said: “This significant milestone…

5 June , 2023

ACCC: Australian Domestic Airline Competition at Critical Juncture

The ACCC data shows Australian domestic airline market as a place dominated by Qantas and Virgin, with those two airlines accounting for over 90% of domestic airline travel over the past 3 years. Even with the launch of Bonza and the expansion of Rex to intercity flights, the duopoly of Qantas and Virgin is unlikely to be significantly impacted in the short-term.

2 June , 2023

Consultation Opens on Artificial Intelligence

AI is a rapidly growing area and increasingly relevant to our everyday lives – both positively and negatively. The Australian Federal Government has now opened consultation on the safe and responsible use of AI.

1 June , 2023

eSafety Commissioner Accepts Some, Rejects Others in World-First Industry Codes

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has made the decision not to register two of eight online safety codes drafted by the online industry as they fail to provide appropriate community safeguards to deal with illegal and harmful content online.

22 May , 2023

Regulation of Buy Now, Pay Later Announced – Consumer Groups Respond

One year after 120 consumer groups signed an open letter to have BNPL regulated as conventional credit, the Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones MP has announced that BNPL will largely be brought in line with the Credit Act – though not all requirements will be applied.

Image 15 May , 2023

National Anti-Scam Centre Welcomed by ACCCC and CHOICE

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and CHOICE, along with other consumer advocacy organisations, have welcomed the Australian Governments commitment of $58 million for the establishment and running of the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) to be implemented over the next two years.

Image 3 May , 2023

Privacy Week 1-7 May 2023: Back to Basics

Original media release 1/05/2023 from Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. Privacy regulators from across Australia have issued a joint statement to mark the start of Privacy Awareness Week 2023 (1 to 7 May). For Privacy Awareness Week, privacy authorities from around Australia are joining together to call for people, organisations and agencies to get ‘back to basics’…