Consumer protection Archives - Page 7 of 38 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

16 May , 2024

Consumer Groups Call for Increased Resourcing of NSW Strata & Property Services Commissioner as Strata Populations Increase

The groups emphasise the critical role of the Commissioner’s office in addressing the unique challengesof the strata sector, which currently houses 35% of NSW residents, with projections of 50% by 2040. “Despite the visionary establishment of the Strata and Property Services Commissioner’s Office, and thecommendable efforts of John Minns since his appointment, the office is…

15 May , 2024

Senate Supermarket Inquiry Recommends Grocery Price Transparency

The 14 recommendations of a Senate Select Committee inquiry into supermarket prices included several aimed at increasing the transparency of retail grocery prices for consumers. These recommendations included (in Recommendation 9 ) that: The Australian Government amend the Unit Pricing Code made under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, so that supermarkets are required to:…

8 May , 2024

New Toppling Furniture Laws Introduced

Furniture suppliers will be required to provide safety warnings to consumers about the dangers of toppling furniture hazards, after the Assistant Treasurer, the Hon. Stephen Jones, made a new information standard for toppling furniture. Since 2000, 28 people, including 17 children under five, have died in Australia from toppling furniture, and each year more than 900…

7 May , 2024

Financial Rights Publishes Report on Best Practice in Life Insurer Family Violence Policies

The 2023 Life Insurance Code of Practice (the Life Insurance Code) introduced a requirement for insurers to have family violence policies available online for their customers. For many life insurers this will be the first publicly available written policy indicating how they will support customers experiencing family violence. Family violence – in the form of…

7 May , 2024

US Consumer Protection Body Publishes Research Finding Higher Price Complexity Leads to Consumers Paying More

The United States of America’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has published a new report, Price Complexity in Laboratory Markets, which indicates that complex pricings, or costs separated into various sub-prices, are typically more expensive and harder to compare – leading to consumers paying more. Based on the CFPB’s previous research, this increased complexity and…

6 May , 2024

Compensation for Cancelled Flights Should be the Norm

CHOICE response to announcement Qantas has agreed to pay $120 million to settle ACCCenforcement action. Quotes attributable to Rosie Thomas, Director of Campaigns and Communications at CHOICE: “Qantas agreeing to pay $120 million dollars and admitting it misled consumers after ACCC court action is a significant result. The proposed settlement sends a very clear message…

6 May , 2024

Non-Economic Loss Now Part of Travel Complaints Scheme

The Australian Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS) is an industry scheme that sets standards for signatory travel agencies and tour operators. ATAS is administered by the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA). Under ATAS, businesses maintain a complaint handling process that is easy and free to access. Where complaints are unresolved, they can be escalated to the…

3 May , 2024

Scam Alert Issued by ASIC as Scammers Change Methods

ASIC is warning consumers about an increase in the sophistication of fake bond and term deposit scams where scammers are impersonating little-known legitimate financial services businesses, often those without a website or digital footprint. Scammers are mirroring real businesses’ disclosure documents, addresses, International Securities Identification Numbers (ISINs), Australian business numbers (ABNs) and Australian financial services…

1 May , 2024

Victoria Bans Energy Cold Callers

The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program has banned cold call telemarketing starting today (1/05/2024) and will ban doorknocking starting 1 August 2024. Below is a media release from the program. About the bans The Victorian Government introduced the bans in response to consumer complaints about problematic telemarketing and doorknocking practices under the program. The bans…

25 April , 2024

Global Experiment Reveals a ‘worrying margin of harm’ in AI Chatbots

23 April 2024 Last month we brought together a powerful cohort of consumer advocate groups, international organisations, business, government and civil society to call for Fair and Responsible AI on World Consumer Rights Day Friday March 15. AI is changing how millions of us experience the online world. Within just five days of the release of ChatGPT last…

23 April , 2024

Automated Driving System Consultation Open

The National Transport Commission (NTC) and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) have been working with state and territory on an Automated Vehicle Safety Law (AVSL) and are now looking for feedback on the regulatory framework as a whole, in addition to safety and consumer issues. The consultation paper…

18 April , 2024

Independent Code of Practice Review call for Written Submissions

The independent panel reviewing the 2020 General Insurance Code of Practice (Code) hasreleased the first of two consultation papers and is calling for written submissions from the public.The independent three-member panel, chaired by former APRA Deputy Chair Helen Rowell, isseeking feedback on the practical operation of the Code and relevant external developmentsincluding: Ms Rowell encouraged…