News Archives - Page 2 of 56 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

31 January , 2025

Joint media release from Australian and Philippines authorities as over 5,000 Australians receive text warnings over a romance scam

This is a joint media release between the AFP, National Anti-Scam Centre, Philippines Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and National Bureau of Investigation Editor’s note: Text message screenshot, images from investigation, and audio grabs from AFP Commander Graeme Marshall are available via Hightail Authorities have texted more than 5000 potential victims in Australia to warn they may…

15 January , 2025

Joint Submission Urges Law Reform and Mandatory Industry Action

This is a joint submission made on behalf of:• Consumer Action Law Centre• CHOICE• The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network• Financial Rights Legal Centre• Super Consumers Australia• Financial Counselling Australia• Westjustice• Consumer Credit Legal Service WA Our organisations are pleased to have the opportunity to provide our feedback to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee. We…

20 December , 2024

Resources for Consumer News, Safety, and Emergency Services

With the end of the year many of us are taking leave, but the consumer world never stops and, especially for product safety purposes (or to make sure the consumer voice is heard in consultations), it can be important to keep an eye out for news. Below are some websites which may have important consumer…

16 December , 2024

Consumer Affairs Ministers Set 2025 Agenda, Consumer Protection to remain at the forefront

Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Consumer Affairs Ministers met on Tuesday 10 December 2024 to renew their commitment to strengthen consumer protections across the country. Ministers attending the meeting, chaired by Commonwealth Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones, acknowledged the substantial progress on key reforms to the Australian Consumer Law over the past year, including work to strengthen…

10 December , 2024

Australian Consumers Now Have a Voice at the NBN Table

Consumers will now have a voice at the table to determine how the NBN can better serve the needs of communities around Australia thanks to a $2.56 million funding grant from the Australian Government to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). As the peak communications consumer body, ACCAN’s new funding will allow it to…

3 December , 2024

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

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…

2 December , 2024

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

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…

20 November , 2024

Consultations Open on Proposed Unfair Trading Prohibitions

Building on an earlier consultation regarding the extent and nature of unfair trading practices in Australia, the Federal Government is seeking feedback on the proposed design of both general and specific prohibitions on unfair practices. Currently proposed changes to the Australian Consumer Law are based on both general in-principal amendments and some specific prohibitions targeting…

8 November , 2024

Joint Submission Details Challenges and Fixes for IDs

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…

8 November , 2024

Discrimination Case Settlement a Win for Travellers with Assistance Dogs, Calls for National and Enforceable Aviation Standard Continue

A Sydney woman with disability has won better access for assistance dogs on Qantas flights following a Federal Court discrimination claim. The Justice and Equity Centre and Maurice Blackburn Lawyers represented Rachael Fullerton after Qantas refused to give permission for her assistance dog Strike to fly with her. Strike is trained to alleviate the effects…

6 November , 2024

Consumers’ Federation of Australia: Annual General Meeting

The notification for the Consumers’ Federation of Australia’s 2024 Annual General Meeting has been sent out and we’re busy preparing everything for the AGM. The AGM is scheduled for Thursday 28th November at 12:00opm-1:00pm AEDT, we look forward to seeing you there! As part of the preparations, we would like to remind all of our…

26 October , 2024

Advocates Welcome Flood Inquiry Report, Urge Government to Act Now

Consumer groups have welcomed the release of the Final Report of the Standing Committee on Economics’ Inquiry into Insurer’s responses to 2022 Major Floods. The groups have called on the insurance sector and the Insurance Council of Australia to accept all the recommendations and implement changes to their internal processes and the Code of Practice…