cost of living

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Australia’s peak communications consumer body, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network – ACCAN, is calling on the major parties to commit to a concessional internet product delivered by NBN Co to provide a cost-of-living boost to low-income Australians this Federal election. This follows a new ACCAN report undertaken by Essential Research which shows significant popular…

Read More “No Australian Left Offline”, report finds strong support for concessional internet

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Independents, Greens and other crossbench candidates are pushing the next government to substantially increase income support to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and lift people out of poverty.   With a minority government possible after this election, crossbenchers have signed a joint statement with ACOSS and representatives from the community sector declaring that raising the rate is…

Read More Crossbenchers and community advocates push for increase to income support

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Consumer Action Law Centre has revealed a list of its top consumer-centric priorities to make life fairer and better for all Australians, ahead of the upcoming federal Election.  “This Federal Election is all about the cost-of-living, and no matter who steps into government it’s vital that they prioritise relieving the harsh financial burdens now being felt by…

Read More Cost of Living Crisis the top priority for 2025 Election

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Financial counsellors have launched their federal election campaign – When every dollar counts, so does financial counselling – we can’t afford to wait. Financial Counselling Australia (FCA), along with all the state financial counselling associations, is calling for a commitment from all sides of politics to provide increased and more sustainable funding, particularly for face-to-face financial…

Read More Every dollar counts – financial counsellors launch election campaign

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ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb has stressed the positive impacts of a competitive economy for consumers as she outlined the agency’s priorities for the 2025-26 financial year. Speaking at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia event in Sydney today, Ms Cass-Gottlieb outlined the agency’s annual compliance and enforcement priorities which include working decisively on consumer…

Read More ACCC releases 2025-26 enforcement and compliance priorities

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Rental assistance needs to be urgently increased to ensure that Australia’s retirees are not living in poverty, COTA Australia says. The call follows a Grattan Institute report released today which shows that two in three retirees who rent in the private market live below the poverty line. COTA Australia – the leading advocacy organisation for…

Read More Urgent increase in rent assistance necessary to lift retirees out of poverty

Consumers' Federation of Australia Developing and promoting the consumer interest

The Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) urgently calls on the Australian government to fund its work as the peak body for consumers in the forthcoming budget.   For over 50 years, Consumers’ Federation of Australia has been a vital safeguard against corporate misconduct, ensuring fair treatment and protections for consumers.   The peak body for consumer organisations,…

Read More Consumers’ Federation of Australia on life-support, urges government action to protect consumers during cost-of-living crisis

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ICAN is united with CHOICE, Community Credit Legal Service Western Australia (CCLSWA), Financial Counselling Australia (FCA), Financial Rights Legal Centre (FRLC), and Mob Strong Debt Help, in supporting the proposed National Strategy for Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities. We believe this Strategy is a significant step forward in addressing the critical issue of…

Read More Strengthening Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities

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Mandatory code of practice, subsidies for food transportation and increased income support needed A coalition of consumer and indigenous groups is calling on the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) to better protect vulnerable residents in remote areas. The organisations have welcomed the proposed National Strategy for Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities, but they…

Read More Consumer Groups Call on NIAA to Strengthen Remote Food Security Strategy

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There is currently no easy way for consumers to compare the energy use, energy efficiency, running cost or greenhouse gas emissions of different heater types, e.g. air conditioners (heat pumps), gas space heaters, and electric resistance heaters. Space heating accounts for around a third of residential energy use in Australia and New Zealand. Space heating…

Read More Space heaters – Have your say on performance comparisons of residential space heaters

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The latest round of indexation starting 20 September, 2024 – including Age Pension, Carer Payment and Commonwealth Rental Assistance – is a welcome and necessary ongoing step towards alleviating cost-of-living pressures, but further action is needed to address financial pressures faced by older people, says the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia. COTA Australia CEO…

Read More Pension Indexation and Commonwealth Rent Assistance Boost Give Some Relief to Older Australians