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Australians are facing the perfect storm for increased financial insecurity in the next 12 months, making them vulnerable to dodgy insolvency advice. On the back of a tough few years of fire, drought, flood and the pandemic, rising interest rates and cost of living pressures mean that more Australians may struggle to pay their bills…

Read More Worried about debt? Talk to your bank or creditors and avoid dodgy advice, warns AFSA

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The state’s economic regulator today released updated water industry standards, strengthening support and protections for Victorian consumers, particularly those facing financial difficulties. This is a media release from the Essential Services Commission. It was originally published on 27th September, 2022. The Essential Services Commission’s water industry standards set out the minimum service requirements water businesses must meet, covering…

Read More New protections for Victorian water customers

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Australian consumers have reported widespread consumer guarantee failures, misrepresentations by caravan suppliers, and unexpected delays in the delivery and repair of caravans, according to the ACCC’s New caravan retailing report released today. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was originally published on 21st July, 2022. The report highlights key issues of concern…

Read More Caravan industry on notice for poor treatment of consumers

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Australians are facing the perfect storm for increased financial insecurity in the next 12 months, making them vulnerable to dodgy insolvency advice. On the back of a tough few years of fire, drought, flood and the pandemic, rising interest rates and cost of living pressures mean that more Australians may struggle to pay their bills…

Read More Worried about debt? Talk to your bank or creditors and avoid dodgy advice, warns AFSA

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Customer-owned banking institutions may need to step up support for consumers experiencing vulnerability as pressures on people increase and ahead of the introduction of more stringent obligations under a new Code of Practice, a new Report says. This is a media release from Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee. It was originally published on 23rd June, 2022.  While saying many…

Read More Report backs greater support for vulnerable customers

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Elder abuse can take various forms, including – financial, physical, psychological, emotional and sexual abuse, or neglect. No older person should be subjected to any form of abuse, read more here.  World Elder Abuse Day raises awareness of elder abuse and informs older Australians of the supports available to them, find out more in Guiding action on elder…

Read More World Elder Abuse Day – 15 June 2022

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The independent committee that monitors the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice (the Code) has released the findings of an Own Motion Inquiry into how Code subscribers responded to 2020’s trials and whether they had strategies in place to address these and any future challenges. The findings include a series of recommendations for brokers when responding to…

Read More How insurance brokers handled a year plagued by extreme weather events and Covid-19

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South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) has released a new report: Protecting the Basics: Insurance access for people on low incomes at risk from climate emergencies. The report finds that there is a significant proportion of people in South Australia on low incomes with uninsured homes, contents, and cars because they can’t afford insurance. It…

Read More Protecting the Basics report highlights insurance gaps

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The release of the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review holds promise for better connectivity for regional, rural and remote Australians, according to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). This is a media release from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). It was originally published on 15th February, 2022. The Regional Telecommunications Review is a tri-annual process which plays…

Read More ACCAN Welcomes 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review Findings

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Consumers International are hosting the upcoming Fair Digital Finance Forum, in celebration of World Consumer Rights Day 2022.  This is a news item from Consumers International. It was received on 7th February, 2022. Consumers International’s Fair Digital Finance Forum will spark the first-ever global conversation around consumer-centred solutions in digital financial services. It will bring together diverse voices…

Read More SAVE THE DATE: World Consumer Rights Day 2022, Fair Digital Finance Forum, Monday 14 – Friday 18 March

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Every year, on March 15, the consumer movement celebrates World Consumer Rights Day, raising global awareness of consumer rights, consumer protection and empowerment. Consumers International is proud and privileged to coordinate this day of global collaboration, with 200 consumer advocacy members in over 100 countries. In 2021, 73 of our Members carried out local campaigns to ‘Tackle Plastic Pollution’. Collectively, we reached a total global audience of over 31 million consumers. …

Read More Fair Digital Finance – World Consumer Rights Day 2022 Theme Announced