Consumer protection Archives - Page 24 of 38 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

24 September , 2021

Telcos and credit providers fail consumers during COVID-19, says new scorecard

Telecommunications and credit and personal finance providers were found to be joint wooden spoon winners in a 2020 Sector Scorecard developed by Consumer Policy Research Centre and Roy Morgan. By delivering the joint worst customer experience overall these sectors have let down their customers when they most needed support. This highlights the need for increased…

10 September , 2021

Just the ticket – tough new laws to stamp out scalping

Ticket scalping will be illegal in Western Australia after legislation introduced by the McGowan Government passed State Parliament, delivering on an election commitment. This is an announcement from the Government of Western Australia, Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. It was originally published on 8th September, 2021. The tough new measures will be in place…

6 September , 2021

Thinking of buying a smart device for your home?

Smart devices or Internet of Things (IoTs) have a significant role in our daily lives at home. A new report has raised the importance of increasing consumer awareness of privacy and consumer protection issues associated with IoTs since there is very limited legal protection for consumers who use these devices. The report Enhancing consumer awareness of…

6 September , 2021

Strengthening unfair contract term protections for consumers and small businesses

The Government has today released a draft Bill to strengthen unfair contract term (UCT) protections for consumers and small businesses. This is a media release from The Hon Michael Sukkar MP, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness, Social and Community Housing. It was originally published on 23rd August, 2021. The exposure draft Bill proposes…

9 August , 2021

Insurers targeting people who rent with unjust bills over $300,000

CHOICE and WEstJustice have called for regulatory intervention to stop insurance companies unfairly pursuing people who rent for claims made on landlord insurance. This is a CHOICE and WEstJustice media statement, originally published on 6th August, 2021. Read the full investigation. The advocacy groups have presented finance regulator ASIC with evidence of insurers pursuing debts…

2 August , 2021

Views sought to help prevent deaths and injuries from toppling furniture and televisions

The ACCC is seeking submissions from stakeholders, including consumers, consumer safety advocates, the furniture and television industries, and medical professionals about the safety hazards posed by toppling furniture, such as bookshelves, drawers and televisions. This is an Australian Competition & Consumer Commission media release, originally published on 2nd August, 2021. There have been at least…

2 August , 2021

Government must go back to the drawing board on new Open Banking rules that undermine Australians’ privacy rights

Financial Rights Legal Centre is calling on the Australian Government to halt the introduction of new rules that will increase privacy and security risks for people when sharing their financial data. This is a Financial Rights Legal Centre media release, originally published on 30th July, 2021. The government should rescind proposals to: allow the transfer…

19 July , 2021

ACCC seeks feedback on safety of potentially deadly inclined sleeping products for infants

After a review into the safety of inclined infant sleeping products, the ACCC is now seeking views on how best to respond to these potentially deadly products. Infants can suffocate when sleeping in so-called ‘infant inclined products’, such as bouncers, rockers, swings, loungers, bassinet-type products, wedges, recliners and sleep accessories due to the incline, curvature…

2 July , 2021

Super lobby groups fail to keep promises to consumers

Super fund lobby groups have dumped a code of conduct that could have improved how funds handle life insurance claims. Consumer groups Super Consumers Australia and Financial Rights Legal Centre are calling out a self-interested move from industry lobby groups including the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST), the Association of Super Funds Australia (ASFA)…

30 June , 2021

The need of an ‘UN Consumer Global Compact’

Presented at the 2021 UN Trade Forum, Geneva – June 2021 In recognition of the digital economy and the growth of big tech and sharing platforms, a call has been made to ask responsible businesses to voluntarily join a principles-based approach to doing business globally, a new ‘UN Consumer Global Compact’ which seeks to enhance…

24 June , 2021

Button batteries – new requirements for suppliers

In Australia, one child a month is seriously injured after swallowing or inserting a button battery and the ACCC has identified a number of ways to protect your family. The ACCC is also encouraging suppliers to comply with the new requirements on button batteries as soon as possible and has developed A Guide for Business on the Application of…

24 June , 2021

AER’s 2021-2022 compliance and enforcement priorities: Consumer protection

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) today released five compliance and enforcement priorities for 2021-22, which include a major focus on protecting energy consumers. This is an Australian Energy Regulator (AER) media release, originally published on 23rd June, 2021. AER Chair Clare Savage said the AER will be monitoring retailers to ensure they identify residential consumers in…