Articles Archives - Page 15 of 181 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

21 June , 2024

Using behavioural insights to improve International Money Transfer calculators

Every year, Australians transfer an estimated $21 billion to family and friends overseas, making use of international money transfer (IMT) services. However, IMT pricing is complex and often not transparent for consumers. To assist businesses supplying IMT services, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued best practice guidance, aimed at improving how IMT offers are…

21 June , 2024

ACCC Releases Final Report on Regulation of Mobile Terminating Access Service

The ACCC has released its final report outlining the findings of its inquiry into whether the domestic mobile terminating access service should continue to be regulated. Access to telecommunications services in Australia is usually unregulated unless the services are declared. In deciding whether to declare a service, the ACCC must be satisfied that declaration will…

21 June , 2024

Events – Can they be Sustainable?

Events can be high profile and transient, with both positive and negative social, economic and environmental impacts. Sustainable event management includes consideration of these impacts, taking into account the needs of all stakeholders. The revised draft standard AS ISO 20121:2024 Events sustainability magement systems – Requirements with guidance for use can ensure you can have…

20 June , 2024

CHOICE Supermarket Basket Survey Reveals Clear Winner

Consumer group CHOICE has today released its first quarterly, government-funded report on supermarket prices across Australia.

As part of the research, CHOICE sent mystery shoppers to 81 regional and metropolitan supermarkets across the country, including Aldi, Woolworths, and Coles, to record prices for 14 common grocery items.

Read the full story here: www.choice.com.au/cheapestgroceries

19 June , 2024

Toolkit for Toppling Furniture Information Standard Released

From the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission: The ACCC has been working to implement strategies to prevent injuries and deaths caused by toppling furniture. Following a recommendation made by the ACCC, on 3 May 2024 the Assistant Treasurer made the Consumer Goods (Toppling Furniture) Information Standard 2024 (the Information Standard). To give suppliers time to…

17 June , 2024

Consultation on Inquiry into the Wholesale Investor and Client Tests in the Corporations Act

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services is conducting an inquiry into the wholesale investor test for offers of securities and the wholesale client test for financial products and services in the Corporations Act 2001. This is a very important inquiry for consumers because: The inquiry’s Terms of Reference, submissions, etc. are available here.…

6 June , 2024

ACNC Releases the 10th Edition of the Australian Charities Report

Charities work across multiple sectors, but the Australian Charities Report is of strategic importance as it aggregates charity data (from 51,536 charities) to provide a holistic picture or ‘sector-wide’ view. Cost of living increases impact charities Our [the Australian and Not-for-Profits Commission or ACNC] data shows that cost of living issues had an impact on…

5 June , 2024

Consumer Groups Welcome New Credit Regulations for Buy Now, Pay Later

New laws regulating Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) have been announced today. Consumer groups respond as follows: Quotes attributable to Stephanie Tonkin, CEO of Consumer Action Law Centre “We welcome the Albanese Government’s new laws that regulate Buy Now, Pay Later as credit and introducing consumer protections. “Every day we speak to people in financial…

3 June , 2024

Research Finds Millions Experience Hardship, Yet Many Don’t Ask for Help

Australians are being urged to directly seek financial hardship assistance from their bank or lender, as new nationwide research released by ASIC’s Moneysmart sheds light on the state of financial hardship in Australia. The research found that 47% of Australian adults with debt, the equivalent of 5.8 million people, have struggled to make repayments in…

31 May , 2024

ACCC Publishes Supermarkets Inquiry Submissions

The non-confidential written submissions on the ACCC’s Issues Paper for its Supermarkets Inquiry 2024-25 are now available here. Most of the submissions were from industry organisations and supermarkets. However, there were several consumer focused submissions including one from CFA (which several members signed onto) and individual submissions by the following CFA members: CHOICE, Combined Pensioners…

31 May , 2024

Consumer Representative Opportunity: ASIC Consumer Consultative Panel

CFA is represented on the ASIC Consumer Consultative Panel (CCP) and is seeking a new CFA representative to fulfil this role. The CCP assists ASIC to identify current and emerging consumer issues in the sectors we regulate; provides feedback on proposed regulatory changes; and through an evidence base of practical experience, inform the development and…

29 May , 2024

Bank Industry to Continue Cash Transit Collaboration

The ACCC has granted authorisation with conditions to the Australian Banking Association (ABA), the Customer Owned Banking Association, banks, retailers and other industry participants to allow them to continue developing responses to support the distribution of cash across Australia. This follows concerns expressed by the major supplier of cash-in-transit services in Australia, Armaguard, that the…