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Consumers can now enjoy extended expiry dates on gift cards thanks to NSW Government reforms set to kick in this weekend, Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said. Mr Kean said the new gift card laws officially begin today and are a big win for consumers across the state. “These reforms put consumers first by…
Read More The gift card that keeps on giving
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Commonwealth Ombudsman Michael Manthorpe today released a report into Australia Post complaints regarding carding, Safe Drop and compensation. The report reviews the actions taken by Australia Post since the release of three earlier Ombudsman reports concerning these matters. The report seeks to determine why complaints about delivery issues persist despite Australia Post’s reported service and…
Read More Complaints persist as Australia Post fails to deliver
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Consumer group CHOICE is calling for unit pricing to be improved following an investigation that found people can save up to $1600 a year by using unit pricing to compare the cost of loose and pre-packed food. “Unit pricing is an important tool which helps shoppers compare and cut back on their grocery spend but the system…
Read More CHOICE says shoppers can save by comparing unit prices
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The ACCC’s Scamwatch is urging all Australians who lost money to a scammer through Western Union from 2004 to 2017 to take action by 31 May 2018* to try to get it back. Western Union has agreed to pay a penalty of US$586 million to the United States’ Department of Justice (DOJ) after admitting to…
Read More Deadline extended for victims scammed via Western Union
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It is estimated that close to one billion single use lightweight supermarket style plastic shopping bags are used in Queensland each year. Queensland’s Department of Environment and Heritage Protection advise that while most of these end up in landfill, around 16 million enter the environment in Queensland each year. The lightweight plastic bags often end…
Read More Queensland’s plastic shopping bag ban
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From 31 January 2018, petrol stations will not be able to display conditionally discounted prices of fuel on the price board. All fuel retailers must show only the full price of fuel available to all motorists, instead of displaying potentially misleading or confusing prices. The regulation also requires fuel retailers to change the price displayed…
Read More Changes to discounted prices on fuel price boards
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The ACCC has today released guidance for egg producers on its approach to enforcing the new National Information Standard on free range eggs, which comes into effect on 26 April 2018. Under the new Standard, egg producers cannot use the words ‘free range’ on their egg cartons unless the eggs were laid by hens that:…
Read More ACCC releases guidance on free range egg standard
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Consumer Action Law Centre has published part 1 of its initial submission to the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Finance Sector today. The submission draws on the experience of the Centre assisting Victorians through legal advice and representation, and financial counselling. The submission identifies various kinds of misconduct by financial services,…
Read More Consumer Action Law Centre: Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Finance Sector, part 1
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A Queensland Office of Fair Trading (QOFT) investigation has seen a Gold Coast business enter into an enforceable undertaking for alleged breaches of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). Between 1 July 2015 and 31 October 2017, Imagine That Photography Pty Ltd, a mobile photography business trading from major shopping centres around Australia, entered into agreements…
Read More Mobile photography business enters into enforceable undertaking over alleged ACL breach
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Many of us will buy and receive gift cards this festive season and the Queensland Consumers Association advises buyers to check that the terms and conditions are fair and not likely to be unduly restrictive for the receiver, and recipients to consider using them soon after receipt. Association spokesperson, Ian Jarratt, says many people think…
Read More Consumer Tips: Buy Gift Cards Carefully and Use Them Early
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To avoid being slugged with excessive charges for paying by card during the busy Christmas and holiday shopping period, consumers should be aware of the national restrictions on surcharging by businesses for payments made by debit, credit or prepaid cards, and lookout for businesses that may not be complying. The Queensland Consumers Association’s spokesperson, Ian…
Read More Avoiding surcharges for card payments
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Consumer rights in telecommunications, including mobile and broadband services, are so parlous that thousands of people are being left without access to essential services or meaningful redress when their suppliers fail them, according to consumer advocates. A group of leading consumer advocates today pointed to staggering complaint levels, unfair sales tactics, and disappointing responses to…
Read More Time for a Reboot for the troubled Telco sector