COVID-19 Archives - Page 2 of 9 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

6 January , 2022

Price gouging: COVID-19 rapid antigen test prices soar

Need to know Rapid antigen tests are being sold at inflated prices by some retailers The ACCC is investigating the price gouging Advocates say stronger price-gouging protections are needed for consumers This is a media release from CHOICE. It was originally published on 5th January, 2022. It was only a few weeks ago that COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs)…

20 December , 2021

Financial issues ‘just the tip of the iceberg’ in supporting energy consumers, prompting new tactics from the AER

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is consulting on a bold new strategy, launched today for consultation, to improve outcomes for consumers experiencing vulnerability and help them stay engaged with the rapidly transforming energy market. This is a media release from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). It was originally published on 20th December, 2021. Latest energy debt figures show a 56% increase…

17 December , 2021

Energy sector remains focused on transition and affordability

Affordable energy and transition to a decarbonised energy system in ways that put customers at the centre, have been identified by the Energy Charter as critical ongoing commitments in 2022, following a new report released today. This is a media release from The Energy Charter. It was originally published on 15th December, 2021. Energy Charter Full Signatories, made up of…

9 December , 2021

Health funds must exercise caution when calculating COVID-19 relief for policyholders

Insurers have continued to return profits gained from a reduction in claims during the COVID?19 pandemic to policyholders, but ongoing restrictions in some states delayed the full return of these profits in 2020-21, the latest ACCC annual report into the private health insurance industry has found. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was…

29 November , 2021

Consumer advocates welcome recommendation for stricter controls of credit funded gambling online

Financial Counselling Australia (FCA), Financial Rights Legal Centre and the Consumer Action Law Centre welcome the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services’ recommendation for legislation to prohibit online gambling operators from accepting credit card funded deposits. This is a media release from the Financial Counselling Australia. It was originally published on 26th November, 2021. Yesterday the Committee released…

25 November , 2021

Complaints fall as public transport usage hit by lockdowns

Data released by the Public Transport Ombudsman Mr Simon McKenzie today shows that complaints about public transport fell 47% from the previous year due to lockdowns and travel restrictions. This is a media release from the Public Transport Ombudsman. It was originally published on 24th November, 2021. For the 2020/2021 year, overall approaches at 2072 were down 39% from…

15 November , 2021

Views sought on caravan industry

Australians who have recently bought a new caravan are being urged to participate in an ACCC survey about possible consumer law issues in the industry. The ACCC has received more than 1,300 reports about the caravan industry over the past five years. Common complaints include retailers selling new caravans that do not meet consumer guarantees,…

2 November , 2021

New research reveals only 23% of Australians feel confident making travel plans in next 12 months: CHOICE

Reform urgently needed to give Australians clear and fair rights when travel has to be cancelled New CHOICE research has revealed that only 23% of Australians feel confident to make travel plans in the next 12 months. This is a media release from CHOICE. It was originally published on 26th October, 2021. This statistic is not surprising, given…

14 October , 2021

Digital platforms complaints process a positive step

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has welcomed today’s announcement by the Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI) of additional accountability measures for digital platforms in Australia. ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said DIGI has taken an important step by launching the public complaints portal, which will support digital platforms’ compliance with the Australian Code of Practice…

4 October , 2021

Life CCC publishes its Annual Report for the 2020-21 financial year

Productive and successful year for life insurance compliance body The Life Code Compliance Committee (the Committee) – the independent Committee which monitors and enforces industry compliance with the customer service standards set out in the Life Insurance Code of Practice (the Code) – today released its Annual Report for 2020–21. This is a media release from the Life Code Compliance…

27 September , 2021

Consultation to modernise document execution across the Federation

Businesses and individuals are being invited to have their say on how technology can be used to streamline the way statutory declarations and deeds are executed. Consultation will provide insights on how statutory declarations and deeds are used in the everyday transactions of Australians and inform advice to Treasurers and Attorneys General on a common…

24 September , 2021

Telcos and credit providers fail consumers during COVID-19, says new scorecard

Telecommunications and credit and personal finance providers were found to be joint wooden spoon winners in a 2020 Sector Scorecard developed by Consumer Policy Research Centre and Roy Morgan. By delivering the joint worst customer experience overall these sectors have let down their customers when they most needed support. This highlights the need for increased…