Everyday Consumer

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The Code Review Panel for the Retirement Living Code has published its inaugural Annual Report. The report confirms that in Australia today, more than 46% of retirement village residents are living in a Code Compliant community. The Code Review Panel comprises Dr Elizabeth Lanyon (Independent Chair of the Code Review Panel), Peter Nilsson (Operator Representative),…

Read More Retirement Living Code of Conduct – Annual Report

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Australian banks are urging state and territory governments to adopt consistent laws on powers of attorney to prevent elder financial abuse.  This is a media release from the Australian Banking Association. It was originally published on 31st March, 2021. State and federal Attorneys-General are meeting today to consider a scope for a national register of power of…

Read More Banks call for consistent laws to prevent elder abuse

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The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code has been amended to introduce new requirements for the labelling of allergens in food. The changes will make allergen information on food labels clearer and more consistent for consumers by requiring simple, plain English allergen declarations in a specific format and location on food labels. The key features…

Read More New requirements for labelling of allergens on packaged foods

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Women are widely under-represented in developing the standards that affect so many areas of our lives, from the products we consume every day to the technologies needed to address a wide range of sustainability challenges. Many of these standards do not adequately address how women and men may be affected differently, for example ill-fitting personal protective…

Read More Women in standards development – International Women’s Day 2021 March 8 “Choose to challenge”

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Electric vehicles (that use minimal to no fuel) are becoming more popular and Australian consumers need to feel confident electric transportation will meet the challenges facing the Australian landscape, such as the size of our county or capability of our electricity grid.  According to the Australian Electric Vehicle Market Study Report Electric Vehicles (EVs) are expected to…

Read More Why an electric vehicle?

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Consumer Affairs Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) has published its annual report highlighting the key education, enforcement and policy activities undertaken by the regulators of the ACL in 2019-20. It provides an insight into the work completed by policy officers, educators and regulators to refine and enforce the ACL over the course of the year.…

Read More Australian Consumer Law Year in Review Report 2019-20

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Financial Rights Legal Centre has released a landmark report on the concept of Open Insurance – the application of the Consumer Data Right to the general insurance industry. This is a Financial Rights Legal Centre Media Release Financial Rights’ Chief Executive Officer Karen Cox said the Open Insurance report by Dr Richard Tooth of Sapere…

Read More Financial Rights report reveals risks and opportunities in Open Insurance

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The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has issued a public warning to consumers to avoid using a Melbourne-based furniture removalist who operates nationally. This is an OFT Media Release 18 December 2020. Consumers should avoid engaging Ajanvi Pty Ltd, trading as My Moovers and Saka Qld Pty Ltd trading as My Moovers Qld and the…

Read More Public warning: Avoid dodgy furniture removalist – My Moovers

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The Productivity Commission has released an issues paper to assist individuals and organisations to prepare submissions to the Inquiry into Right to Repair. Right to Repair is a consumer’s ability to repair faulty goods, or access repair services, at a competitive price. This can include repair by a manufacturer, a third-party, or self-repair. The inquiry…

Read More Issues paper released for the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Right to Repair

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has today registered new rules that require telcos to detect, trace and block scam calls. The Reducing Scam Calls Code, developed by the telco industry, was a direct recommendation of the ACMA’s Combating Scams Action Plan. This is an ACMA Media Release The ACMA has worked closely with telcos and peak…

Read More New rules to detect, trace and block scam calls