News

survey, icon, survey icon-2316468.jpg survey, icon, survey icon-2316468.jpg

New mandatory industry codes are being developed by the Australian Government to outline the responsibilities of the private sector in relation to scam activity, with a focus on banks, digital communications platforms, and telecommunications providers. A short survey is also available for members of the public who wish to participate in the consultation process and provide information about their experience with scams, rather than provide a written submission.

You can read the Consultation Paper and how to make submissions here. Submissions are due by 29 January 2024.

Read More Have Your Say on the Scams Mandatory Industry Code Survey

circle, hands, teamwork-312343.jpg circle, hands, teamwork-312343.jpg

Are you interested in consumer issues and looking to broaden your volunteering and work experience? The Consumers Association of South Australia is the South Australian voice for consumers, representing consumer interests, encouraging the distribution of information on issues affecting consumers, and providing opportunity for discussion of some of the following issues:

Read More Positions Open on Consumers’ Association of South Australia Committee

Black computer screen reading 'security' in blue with cursor hovering over word

Digital platforms with significant market power can use practices like bundling or tying of products, pre-installation and default settings to limit customer choice or deter innovation from competitors.
“Australians increasingly use digital platforms for work, study and play and can benefit from their wide range of interconnected products and services. While the size and scale of digital platforms alone does not raise concern, there is a risk that this expansion may be driven by a desire from digital platforms to entrench or extend their market power,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

Read More Expansion of Digital Platforms Demonstrates “critical need for regulatory reform”

speedometer, dashboard, car-1249610.jpg speedometer, dashboard, car-1249610.jpg

Original text from CPRC’s website (24/11/2023). Date: 27 November 2023Time: 1-2PM AEDTLocation: Online Faulty cars are far too common and disrupt far too many lives. A faulty car is far more than just a daily inconvenience, they can disrupt lives and pose serious challenges for people nationwide when trying to resolve the problem. CPRC’s research…

Read More Detours and Roadblocks: CPRC’s Upcoming Faulty Car Webinar

lecture, meeting, strategy-2152939.jpg lecture, meeting, strategy-2152939.jpg

The Consumers’ Federation of Australia has published its new Strategic Plan 2024. The plan unveils an exciting new vision: a thriving consumer movement that advances the diverse interests of consumers. As the peak body for the consumer movement, CFA’s purpose is to enable our members to connect and be more impactful. The new plan identified…

Read More New CFA Strategic Vision for a Thriving Consumer Movement

credit-card, scissors, cutting-309613.jpg credit-card, scissors, cutting-309613.jpg

“If lotteries get this carve-out and people can use credit cards, it will be the thin edge of the wedge. They will then get carve-outs from future advertising and inducement reforms. We’ll regret this mistake when lotteries are advertised day and night and people increasingly spend large sums of money.”

Ms Levin said lotteries were no longer harmless fun as portrayed by providers. They were now also a far cry from the benign, government-owned public sweeps that we remember from childhood, and which had legislation that mandated donating money to charitable causes.

Read More ‘Not harmless fun’ – Advocates Call for Credit Card Ban to Extend to Scratchies and Lottery Tickets

Solar battery storage outside a brick house. The plastic and metal is charred black and melted in some areas. Solar battery storage outside a brick house. The plastic and metal is charred black and melted in some areas.

All households with a solar storage system need to urgently check if the system has a recalled LG battery installed and should switch off affected batteries immediately, the ACCC has warned.

When these batteries malfunction there is a serious risk of injury or death due to the affected batteries overheating and causing a fire.

Read More LG Solar Batteries Recalled – Consumers Urged to Check and Switch Off Affected Batteries Immediately