Everyday Consumer

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Australia’s peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, has today called for the weak and ineffective industry-drafted Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code to be scrapped in favour of robust and enforceable industry standards that better protect Australian consumers. Communications are an essential service – yet the rules which exist to protect communications consumers are failing in their…

Read More Time to scrap ‘consumer protection’ rules that don’t protect consumers

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Changes to Triple Zero rules announced by Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland today are an important step to enhance public safety. ACCAN – Australia’s peak body for communications consumers – welcomes today’s announcement by the Minister that several new requirements will apply to mobile carriers in relation to the Triple Zero service. The range of…

Read More New Rules for Triple Zero Services a Win for Public Safety

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The growing rate of scams and the devastating impact they are having on Australians has been recognised by the Federal Government through the establishment of the SMS Sender ID Register – but it should be made mandatory. ACCAN has welcomed this important step in the fight against scams but urges the government to  ensure that…

Read More Consumer Advocates Call for Mandatory SMS Anti-Scam Registry

Gerard Brody, Chair, Consumers' Federation of Australia: "There's a real value to consumer organisations. As consumer advocates, we see what's going on and we're able to present to government not only the problems, but also the experience, the insights, the connections and the research to help them with solutions."

False information, widespread political change, budgetary cuts. These are just some of mounting issues facing civil society in 2024 at a time when the role they play is needed more than ever. Next week, Consumers International joins discussions at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) to discuss the role of consumer organisations, the value…

Read More Consumers International Speaks With Intergovernmental Group of Experts for Consumer Protection Law and Policy

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The ACCC has released its final report outlining the findings of its inquiry into whether the domestic mobile terminating access service should continue to be regulated. Access to telecommunications services in Australia is usually unregulated unless the services are declared. In deciding whether to declare a service, the ACCC must be satisfied that declaration will…

Read More ACCC Releases Final Report on Regulation of Mobile Terminating Access Service

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A survey of 280 scam victims by consumer group CHOICE has found they are left carrying the burden of scams after big businesses like telcos, tech platforms and banks fail to step up and protect them. 61% of respondents said they had lost confidence in doing financial transactions online. The survey results, detailed in CHOICE’s…

Read More Passing the Buck: Scam Victims Carrying Unfair Burden

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Dangers to pedestrians at zebra crossings from collision with vehicles particularly at night are a concern.  It’s easy to become complacent about safety, especially on a familiar route. Taking risks and not being mindful on the roads can have serious consequences, find out more about Staying safe as a pedestrian on the NSW Centre for…

Read More Have your say – Lighting of Pedestrian Crossings

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The National Transport Commission (NTC) and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) have been working with state and territory on an Automated Vehicle Safety Law (AVSL) and are now looking for feedback on the regulatory framework as a whole, in addition to safety and consumer issues. The consultation paper…

Read More Automated Driving System Consultation Open

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The Productivity Commission is undertaking a study to assess the economic effects of national competition reforms. It is now inviting community members to share perspectives, experiences and expertise on national competition matters and modelling competition reforms. The Commission’s review is occurring against a backdrop of declining productivity growth in the past decade. As such, a…

Read More Submission Call for National Competition Policy

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Australian authorities have never had the power to break up big businesses that behave badly. It’s a power available to courts in the United States and elsewhere, but not here – at least not unless the Greens succeed with a bill now before the Senate. The so-called Competition and Consumer Amendment (Divestiture Powers) Bill would…

Read More It’s time to give Australian courts the power to break up big firms that behave badly

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The ACCC has released its final report outlining the findings of an inquiry into whether nine wholesale telecommunications services should continue to be regulated. Access to telecommunications services in Australia is usually unregulated unless the services are declared. In deciding whether to declare a service, the ACCC must be satisfied that declaration would promote the long-term interests…

Read More ACCC Announces Changes to Wholesale Telecommunications Regulation