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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

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Elder abuse can take various forms, including – financial, physical, psychological, emotional and sexual abuse, or neglect. No older person should be subjected to any form of abuse, read more here.  World Elder Abuse Day raises awareness of elder abuse and informs older Australians of the supports available to them, find out more in Guiding action on elder…

Read More World Elder Abuse Day – 15 June 2022

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A CHOICE survey reveals that consumers notice carbon claims and they sometimes influence purchase decisions. But how reliable are they? Need to know New data shows consumers are increasingly taking note of businesses’ carbon credentials But uncertainty remains for some people around whether to trust carbon neutral claims Significant numbers of consumers are factoring carbon…

Read More Consumer awareness growing around carbon credentials

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The new ISO Standard ISO 22458 Consumer vulnerability – Requirements and guidelines for the design and delivery of inclusive service was developed by the international committee ISO/PC 311 Vulnerable consumers. This was written by Alistair Tegart, Former Engagement Manager at Standards Australia and published by SOCAP. Standards Australia’s committee CS-311 Vulnerable consumers worked on Australian input to the…

Read More Standard for responding to vulnerability

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NEXTgen is a cost free 10-month professional development program designed to upskill your CV, increase your standards knowledge and make important industry connections. Participants will gain a detailed understanding into the world of standards – how they’re made, what impact they have, and most importantly, how to become involved in their development. If you have approx.…

Read More Standards Australia NEXTgen program – Applications open

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Consumer think tank, the Consumer Policy Research Centre, today released research that found 83% of Australians have been negatively impacted by a website or app using harmful design features, known as dark patterns. This is a media release from the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). It was originally published on 8th June, 2022.  In its report, Duped by Design,…

Read More New protections needed to stop online designs that hurt consumers

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The independent committee that monitors the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice (the Code) has released the findings of an Own Motion Inquiry into how Code subscribers responded to 2020’s trials and whether they had strategies in place to address these and any future challenges. The findings include a series of recommendations for brokers when responding to…

Read More How insurance brokers handled a year plagued by extreme weather events and Covid-19

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CFA has supported a written submission made by a CFA member, the Queensland Consumers’ Association (QCA) to the first phase of an independent review by John Trowbridge of strata insurance practices. The review has been commissioned by the Steadfast Group, a large insurance broker network, and Phase 1 relates to the disclosure practices of intermediaries.…

Read More Independent review of strata insurance practices

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A consumer think tank has released a new report today with ten ideas to make the process of buying a home easier for Victorians. The report from the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) has found that people buying a home do not have access to accurate information about the price and quality of a property…

Read More 10 ideas to make the painful property purchase process easier: 27% of Victorian home buyers report that they have experienced underquoting

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FSANZ is a statutory authority operating under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991. FSANZ develops standards that regulate the use of ingredients, processing aids, colourings, additives, vitamins and minerals. The Food Standards Code also covers the composition of some foods, such as dairy, meat and beverages as well as foods developed by new…

Read More CFA Seeks a Consumer Representative for the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Consumer and Public Health Dialogue (CPHD)

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Everybody has the right to complain which provides organisations with valuable feedback about what users dislike about a product or service. The revised Australian Standard guides organisations to manage their own complaints and enables consistency in the effective treatment of complaints, particularly in a global marketplace. Organizations should adopt a people-focused and proactive approach to…

Read More Complaint’s handling standard a good outcome for consumers

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Volunteering brings people together; it builds communities and creates a better society for everyone. National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering and a chance for all of us to celebrate and recognise the vital work of volunteers, find out more here.  Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) depends on the volunteers who represent CFA…

Read More National Volunteer Week 2022 “Better together”