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Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Stephanie Tonkin said she was absolutely delighted that Minister Bill Shorten has announced consumer protections and reforms to Centrepay that restore it to its original purpose; that it should only be used by consumers to make regular voluntary payments for essential bills and expenses. (link to media release) “We have…

Read More New Centrepay Reform Bans Predatory Rent-to-Buy’s in Win for Consumers and Advocates

Knowledge is Power

ICAN’s Yarnin’ Energy team launched a ‘Get emPOWERed!’ competition on Monday the 11th of November. The competition has been designed to engage people to participate in the coaching component of our Yarnin’ Energy program. “The first fifty people to book and attend an appointment with one of our Yarnin’ Energy Mentors will receive a FREE Energy…

Read More ICAN Launches ‘Get emPOWERed!’ Competition through Yarnin’ Energy Program

A detailed shot of water flowing from a steel faucet, ideal for themes on cleanliness or plumbing. A detailed shot of water flowing from a steel faucet, ideal for themes on cleanliness or plumbing.

The Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia is conducting an inquiry and report on energy, food and water security in the north of Australia. Submissions are currently open to the public and will close on 31st January 2025. The availability (including cost availability) is of great concern to all consumers, but especially to those living…

Read More Energy, Food and Water Security in Northern Australia

Logos for: Consumer Action Law Centre, Ican, Financial Rights Legal Centre, Mob Strong Debt Help, Financial Counselling Australia, Super Consumers Australia

Below is a joint submission made on behalf of: •Consumer Action Law Centre•Financial Counselling Australia•Financial Rights Legal Centre•Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network•Mob Strong Debt Help•Super Consumers Australia. This media release and joint submission was found on Consumer Action Law Centre’s website here: Our organisations welcome the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed changes to the…

Read More Joint Submission Details Challenges and Fixes for IDs

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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

Isolated shining metal shopping trolley without anything located separately on yellow background Isolated shining metal shopping trolley without anything located separately on yellow background

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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Older people are urging a bipartisan approach from the Federal Government and Opposition to urgently introduce a new rights-based Aged Care Act. Organisations representing older Australians and their carers say the Aged Care Act needs to be introduced into Federal Parliament this sitting fortnight if laws are to be passed this year that address the…

Read More “Stop dithering on older people’s rights” – Self-Advocates Urge MPs to Act Now on Aged Care Reform

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ICAN’s Yarnin’ Energy project launched earlier this month after receiving funding from the Queensland Department of Energy and Climate’s, Enable Grants Program.  ICAN CEO, Aaron Davis, said, “Inflation has seriously impacted household budgets and higher energy costs contribute to the current cost of living crisis. We’re excited to launch our Yarnin’ Energy project, which combines,…

Read More ICAN Launches Yarnin’ Energy as Cost of Living Crisis Continues

Original Power

A new, first-of-its-kind First Nations-led research project has launched today, to improve energy security and consumer protections for customers accessing electricity services through pre-payment arrangements. Prepaid metering is mandated in many regional and remote Aboriginal communities and is associated with a high rate of disconnections and energy insecurity. Consumer protections for those customers vary across…

Read More First Nations-led Study on Lived Experience of Energy in Communities Launches

Money Yarns, Stronger Futures The consumer, credit and debt issues of First Nations consumers in Victoria. Integrated Practice Project Report 2021-2023

The Consumer Action Law Centre has today released a groundbreaking report titled Money Yarns, Stronger Futures. The report amplifies the voices of First Nations people, sharing their personal experiences to shed light on the significant challenges they face in achieving financial prosperity. Money Yarns, Stronger Futures not only highlights these challenges but also offers bold recommendations for both…

Read More Money Yarns, Stronger Futures – Highlighting Challenges and Bold Recommendations

Australian Government National Indigenous Australians Agency NIAA

BackgroundThe Youpla Group, also called the Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund (ACBF) sold funeral insurancepolicies to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These were called Youpla funeral funds.When Youpla collapsed in March 2022, many community members could no longer pay for Sorry Business.From July 2024 the Youpla Support Program will replace the existing Treasury Program.The National…

Read More Youpla Support Program Starts Now

A study of local economic abuse in First Nations communities with special focus on Australia and Canada June 2024 Jerry Buckland Canadian Mennonite University Winnipeg, Manitoba Carmen Daniels Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network Cairns, Queensland ICAN

Today, ICAN releases its literature review: A study of local economic abuse in First Nations communities with a special focus on Australia and Canada. The study was undertaken by Professor Jerry Buckland from the Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) and Carmen Daniels, Research Manager at ICAN. ICAN’s purpose in undertaking the research, was to review the literature…

Read More ICAN Releases Literature Review on Economic Abuse in First Nations Communities