Direct Debits – Good or Bad for Consumers?
Direct debits are convenient and often earn discounts; but Ian Jarratt argues there are risks for consumers. What do you think?
Read More Direct Debits – Good or Bad for Consumers?
Opinion
The new world of advertising is here, so listen on Spotify and have a Coke
New marketing channels reinforce the legitimacy of junk food marketing.
Read More The new world of advertising is here, so listen on Spotify and have a Coke
Not happy, Sunshine: Qld government muzzles community
An anonymous Queenslander laments the suppression of public advocacy.
Read More Not happy, Sunshine: Qld government muzzles community
Counsellors are finance world heros
Scott Pape, Barefoot Investor, gives a big “Toes Up” to hard-working financial counsellors.
Read More Counsellors are finance world heros
We can’t rely on the social safety net to bring power to the people
An “efficient” electricity market puts vulnerable people even more at risk
Read More We can’t rely on the social safety net to bring power to the people
We know why power prices are up, but what should we do?
Government needs to ensure that we have the lowest cost industry that meets future societal needs.
Read More We know why power prices are up, but what should we do?
What is the sound of consumer rights disappearing? Silence….
It’s about to get a lot harder to believe food advertising.
Read More What is the sound of consumer rights disappearing? Silence….
Double take as group switch controversies strike again
Independent consumer advocate Christopher Zinn looks at the issues raised by consumer groups promoting a “big switch”.
Read More Double take as group switch controversies strike again
The health system needs a Gonski
The Gonski report on education focuses on outcomes. It places students at the centre of the system, considers how best they learn and achieve and asks how the system can best service the needs of students. Consumer Health Forum’s Carol Bennett wants this approach applied to health funding.
Read More The health system needs a Gonski
Opening Pandora’s box: secret treaty threatens human rights
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is a controversial, secretly negotiated, trade agreement designed to provide for stronger enforcement of intellectual property rights. But there has been no independent analysis of the impact of the treaty in Australia upon economics, human rights or health care.
Read More Opening Pandora’s box: secret treaty threatens human rights
Government to backflip on payday lending law reforms?
Is the Commonwealth about to further weaken payday lending laws under pressure from industry? Gerard Brody of Consumer Action Law Centre reviews the arguments. He says interest rates of 288% will not put any pressure on the payday industry to change their harmful practices.
Read More Government to backflip on payday lending law reforms?
A trust mark for fair contracts?
Could the problem of one-sided take it or leave it contracts be addressed by developing a trust mark that traders can display to consumers where there contracts meet agreed standards of fairness?
Read More A trust mark for fair contracts?