Food, Health and Product Safety Archives - Page 4 of 46 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

14 October , 2024

World Standards Day 14 October 2024

Shared vision for a better world: Spotlight on SDG 9 Industry, innovation, and infrastructure in the age of AI Standards are voluntary technical agreements that impact almost every part of our daily lives. They ensure that products and services work the way that we expect them to, making life safer and easier. There’s a role…

10 October , 2024

CHOICE Welcomes Federal Government’s Announcement to Strengthen Unit Pricing Rules

Consumer group CHOICE has welcomed the Federal Government’s plans to strengthen unit pricing by reviewing the rules and introducing strong penalties for non-compliance. Quotes attributable to Deputy Director of Campaigns, Andy Kelly: “CHOICE welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement to improve the rules around grocery unit pricing. Currently, supermarkets can’t be penalised for poor unit pricing and…

2 October , 2024

ACCC seeks Consultation on Potential Competition Concerns with Sigma/Chemist Warehouse Acquisition

The ACCC is seeking views on a proposed court-enforceable undertaking offered by Sigma Healthcare Limited (ASX: SIG) in relation to its proposed acquisition of Chemist Warehouse Group Holdings. Sigma is one of the largest wholesalers of prescription medicines, over the counter and front of store products. Sigma is also a franchisor of pharmacies under banners…

1 October , 2024

Additional Funding for Investigation and Enforcement of Retail and Supermarket Sectors Welcomed

The ACCC welcomed today’s announcement by the Treasurer of $30 million over 3.5 years in additional funding for investigations and enforcement relating to the supermarket and retail sector. ACCC Chair Cass-Gottlieb said the additional resources would allow for a significant enhancement of the ACCC’s enforcement and compliance activities in an essential sector relied upon by…

1 October , 2024

Strengthening Food Security in Remote First Nations Communities

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…

25 September , 2024

Swimming Pool and Water Safety

As we look forward to summer and being able to swim at our beaches and in our pools it important that safety measures are in place to safeguard against drowning. Adequate supervision, swimming lessons, and public education, can all help create a safer future for all Australian swimmers. It is also essential for all pool…

25 September , 2024

Regulators Release Working Paper on an AI Generative Model

The Digital Platform Regulators Forum (DP-REG) has published a working paper on multimodal foundation models (MFMs) used in generative artificial intelligence (AI). The latest working paper “Examination of technology – Multimodal Foundation Models” examines MFMs – a type of generative AI that can process and output multiple data types, such as image, audio or video…

18 September , 2024

Consumer Groups Call on NIAA to Strengthen Remote Food Security Strategy

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…

17 September , 2024

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

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…

12 September , 2024

Voluntary AI Safety Standard Available

A Voluntary AI Safety Standard has been made available by the Australian Government – it gives practical guidance to all Australian organisations on how to safely and responsibly use and innovate with artificial intelligence (AI). The standard consists of 10 voluntary guardrails that apply to all organisations throughout the AI supply chain and explain what…

9 September , 2024

New Rules for Triple Zero Services a Win for Public Safety

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…

6 September , 2024

Medical Authorities Urged to Address ‘ticking time bomb’ of 3G Shutdown on Medical Devices

Medical authorities must take urgent action to ensure that up to 200,000 medical implant recipients are aware of the health threat posed by the looming 3G network shutdown. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said the recent delay to the shutdown of the 3G network was to be applauded, but there was growing concern that people were…