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Former Consumers’ Federation of Australia chairperson, and long-time consumer rights advocate Catriona Lowe has been nominated as Deputy Chairperson of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). This was written with information taken from a Government News post published on 14th July, 2022. Ms Lowe is due to take up the role on 27 January 2023.…
Read More Catriona Lowe nominated as ACCC deputy chair
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ASIC has adopted a temporary no-action position to enable large banks (‘eligible licensees’) to withhold the reporting of certain credit information on consumer credit reports where reporting the information could lead to consumer harm, including where a consumer may be the victim of family violence. This is a media release from the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC).…
Read More ASIC helps credit providers protect victims of family violence
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Australians are facing the perfect storm for increased financial insecurity in the next 12 months, making them vulnerable to dodgy insolvency advice. On the back of a tough few years of fire, drought, flood and the pandemic, rising interest rates and cost of living pressures mean that more Australians may struggle to pay their bills…
Read More Worried about debt? Talk to your bank or creditors and avoid dodgy advice, warns AFSA
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The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has announced the appointment of Natalie Cameron as its new Lead Ombudsman for Banking and Finance. This is a media release from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). It was originally published on 6th July, 2022. Natalie was appointed after an extensive executive recruitment process and moves into the position from her…
Read More Natalie Cameron named Lead Ombudsman, Banking and Finance
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What does it mean to be a consumer in Australia? New research from the Consumer Policy Research Centre outlines how people across Australia describe their experiences and expectations of how business treat them. This is a media release from The Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). It was originally published on 29th June, 2022. For more information about this research,…
Read More Australian consumers in their own words: new research from the CPRC
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Artificial outdoor light is essential in our modern society; however poorly designed, directed and maintained lighting can cause problems. Light pollution is bad for us and for wildlife, so what can we do, read more here. Standards Australia has released a draft revised standard for Public Comment: AS/NZS 4282 Control of obtrusive effects for outdoor lighting which aims to…
Read More Adverse Effects of Outdoor Lighting – Draft open for public comment
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Customer-owned banking institutions may need to step up support for consumers experiencing vulnerability as pressures on people increase and ahead of the introduction of more stringent obligations under a new Code of Practice, a new Report says. This is a media release from Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee. It was originally published on 23rd June, 2022. While saying many…
Read More Report backs greater support for vulnerable customers
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Businesses which supply button batteries or products powered by them must now comply with mandatory button battery safety and information standards taking effect from today or face serious penalties, the ACCC warns. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission. It was originally published on 22nd June, 2022. “These world-first standards are a critical…
Read More Businesses on notice as mandatory button battery laws commence
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Have you ever tried switching bank accounts online, only to end up feeling confused by the technology? Any situation in which an individual may be unable to engage fully or effectively in a market is considered consumer vulnerability read more here and watch the video. Protecting the most vulnerable people in society falls not just to government but…
Read More New vulnerable consumers standard ensures everyone gets a fair deal
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Consumers’ Federation of Australia has made a submission to the ACCC consultation paper, Toppling Furniture Consultation Paper – Assessment of Regulatory Options. The CFA strongly supports the proposal to enact mandatory safety and information standards to address product safety associated with toppling furniture. The move towards a more holistic approach to prevent, in the main,…
Read More CFA supports mandatory safety and information standards for toppling furniture
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Consumer Action is calling for meaningful protections from scams to apply to businesses operating in the crypto sector. This is a media release from Consumer Action Law Centre. It was originally published on 30th May, 2022. The call comes in a submission to the Treasury’s consultation paper Crypto asset secondary service providers: Licensing and custody requirements, in which Treasury proposes…
Read More Crypto: As risky as gambling and a haven for scams that demands action
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Consumer group CHOICE has released new data from a nationally representative survey of consumers that shows more than 1 in 9 Australians (12%) have purchased crypto such as Bitcoin or Ethereum in the past 12 months. This is a media release from CHOICE. It was originally published on 31st May, 2022. Read a longer CHOICE article on cryptocurrency.…
Read More “Volatile, complex and high-risk”: CHOICE calls for stronger crypto consumer protections
