Articles

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The ACCC has released its final report outlining the findings of an inquiry into whether nine wholesale telecommunications services 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 would promote the long-term interests…

Read More ACCC Announces Changes to Wholesale Telecommunications Regulation

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On 20 March 2023, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services commenced an inquiry into the wholesale investor test for offers of securities (Section 708 of Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act 2001) and the wholesale client test for financial products and services (Sections 761G & 761GA of Chapter 7 of the Act) (referred…

Read More Inquiry into Wholesale Investor and Wholesale Client Tests

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The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) is reviewing its Car Rental Code. Signatories of this code include Avis Budget Group, Hertz, Europcar, Thrifty, East Coast Car Rentals, Sixt, Bayswater Car Rental and Redspot/Enterprise. The Code ensures an industry standard is met on a number of issues, including transparency of pricing and credit card charging practices,…

Read More Seeking CFA Member to Prepare a Submission to a Review of the AFIA Car Rental Code

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Submissions are open for an inquiry being undertaken by the Supermarket Pricing Select Committee which was established by the Queensland Parliament on 7 March 2024. Information about the committee can be accessed here. 

The committee is calling for submissions to the Inquiry into Supermarket Pricing by 10am on Tuesday, 2 April 2024. Information about how to make a submission to the inquiry and planned public proceedings is provided below.

Read More Queensland Inquiry into Supermarket Pricing Open

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“Industry should be providing consumers with clear information about which devices will and won’t work with Triple Zero and can be relied on to access emergency services. The working group and the major telcos must clearly communicate to consumers how they can identify if their device will work after the 3G shutdown, or whether they need to upgrade their device.”

Read More Industry Working Group Welcomed by Consumers as Deadline for the 3G Network Approaches

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Original media release by and from Energy Consumers Australia (19/03/2024). Energy Consumers Australia CEO Brendan French: “We are pleased that the AER’s draft decision is to reduce the retail margins allowed in the Default Market Offer in recognition of the cost of living demands on consumers. This is something we have called for in our…

Read More Energy Consumers Australia Responds to Regulators Draft Default Market Offer

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“Significant changes have occurred since the ACCC last examined search services in 2021. We’ve seen new laws introduced overseas that place obligations on so-called gatekeeper search engines and the emergence of new technologies, like generative AI, that have changed the way consumers search for information online and may be impacting the quality of the service they are receiving,”

Read More ACCC to Examine Internet Search Services for Five Year Inquiry

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About the Opportunity Established in 2021, the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) Code of Practice sets best practice standards for the sector and strengthens consumer protections. The BNPL providers accredited to this Code represent an estimated 95 percent of the BNPL market – Afterpay, Brighte, Humm Group, Klarna, Payright, Plenti and Zip Co. The Australian…

Read More Consumer Representative Opportunity: Buy Now Pay Later Code Compliance Committee

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In light of World Consumer Rights Day and the 2024 theme, CHOICE and the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) have both released articles on artificial intelligence (AI) and the importance, and absence, of consumer voices when discussing use and regulation. Based on CHOICE’s recent research, almost 4 in 5 Australian’s think that business’s should be…

Read More Australians Want Regulation But Consumer Voice Missing in AI Debates

Consumers International World Consumer Rights Day 2024 FAIR AND RESPONSIBLE AI FOR CONSUMERS

It’s March 15th and time for World Consumer Rights Day once more, a day to raise global and local awareness of consumer rights, protection and empowerment. The theme selected this year by Consumers International (CI) is ‘Fair and responsible AI for consumers’. For Australian consumers, the Federal Government released an interim response to safe and…

Read More World Consumer Rights Day 2024: Fair and Responsible AI for Consumers

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Original media release by and for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (14/03/2024). The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) have published new information to help banks, insurers and superannuation trustees prepare for the commencement of the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR). The FAR, which takes effect for banks…

Read More Industry Information Package Released in Preparation for the Financial Accountability Regime