News Archives - Page 16 of 56 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

19 June , 2023

Knock to Stay Connected: National Customer Code Welcomed by Consumer Groups

Consumer groups and the financial counselling sector have welcomed the launch of a new customer code for the energy sector.

The Knock to Stay Connected customer code requires network companies to visit people at risk of disconnection and encourages them to outline the support and referral services available if the customer is having payment difficulties, with the aim of keeping them connected.

13 June , 2023

Button Battery Awareness Day 12th June 2023

Australia’s first International Button Battery Awareness Day aims to spread further awareness about the dangers of button batteries among schools, parents, caregivers and childhood educators through the delivery of an educational program designed for early childhood and primary school aged children. In Australia, around 20 children a week present to an emergency department with a button…

13 June , 2023

Modernising the Payment System

Original media release (7/06/2023) from the Treasurer, The Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP: The Albanese Government is taking the next important steps to modernise the way Australians make and receive payments. The Strategic Plan for Australia’s Payments System released today presents a roadmap for the development of the sector. Our vision is for a modern, world?class and…

6 June , 2023

FSC to Rollout Changes to Life Insurance Code

From an FSC media release (02/06/2023): The Financial Services Council (FSC) is proud to announce the upcoming implementation of the New Life Code of Practice (new Life Code) on 1 July 2023, which will introduce over 50 comprehensive consumer protections that will change the way customers interact with their life insurers. FSC, CEO, Blake Briggs said: “This significant milestone…

2 June , 2023

Consultation Opens on Artificial Intelligence

AI is a rapidly growing area and increasingly relevant to our everyday lives – both positively and negatively. The Australian Federal Government has now opened consultation on the safe and responsible use of AI.

1 June , 2023

eSafety Commissioner Accepts Some, Rejects Others in World-First Industry Codes

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has made the decision not to register two of eight online safety codes drafted by the online industry as they fail to provide appropriate community safeguards to deal with illegal and harmful content online.

24 May , 2023

AFCA Publishes Second Systemic Issues Insights Report

Despite this slight decrease in resolutions and the facilitation of other outcomes (such as correcting the status of an account), AFCA also so over $28 million more go to consumers then in the previous financial year

18 May , 2023

Trowbridge Strata Insurance Review Phase 3 – “a blueprint for affordability, availability and competition”

John Trowbridge has just released the third phase of his independent review into strata or body corporate insurance practices. The synopsis found here and released on Trowbridge’s website, places priority on implementing a disclosure regime, the focus of Trowbridge’s Phase 1 paper, and working with all relevant parties to alleviate the current and ongoing market capacity problem.

Image 15 May , 2023

National Anti-Scam Centre Welcomed by ACCCC and CHOICE

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and CHOICE, along with other consumer advocacy organisations, have welcomed the Australian Governments commitment of $58 million for the establishment and running of the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) to be implemented over the next two years.

Image 15 May , 2023

Designated Complaints Function Announced

From July 2024 select advocacy groups for consumers and small business will be able to lodge complaints with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) – and the ACCC will be obligated to respond. From the website of Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, Andrew Leigh MP:

Image 12 May , 2023

Financial Counselling Foundation Welcomes Generous Industry Donation

“The $7.75 million will enable the foundation to not only provide support to existing grants that are
about to expire, but also implement new projects,” Mr Brouwer said. “This comes at a time of great
financial hardship and, consequently, a time of huge pressure on the financial counselling sector.
“Our funding priorities include family violence victims, tenants at risk of homelessness, First Nations
communities and people in prison.”

Image 3 May , 2023

Privacy Week 1-7 May 2023: Back to Basics

Original media release 1/05/2023 from Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. Privacy regulators from across Australia have issued a joint statement to mark the start of Privacy Awareness Week 2023 (1 to 7 May). For Privacy Awareness Week, privacy authorities from around Australia are joining together to call for people, organisations and agencies to get ‘back to basics’…