Articles Archives - Page 55 of 181 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

6 December , 2021

International Volunteer Day – 5 December 2021

International Volunteer Day (IVD) mandated by the UN General Assembly, is held each year on 5 December, the theme for 2021 is Volunteer now for our common future. Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA) thanks and acknowledges the CFA representatives for their valuable contribution to the standards development committees as part of the CFA Standards Project. The CFA…

6 December , 2021

Supporting business through improvements to mandatory standards regulation under Australia Consumer Law – Feedback invited

The Treasury has released the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS): Supporting business through improvements to mandatory standards regulation under the Australian Consumer Law. The CRIS considers options to improve the regulatory framework for mandatory standards under the Australian Consumer Law with a focus on minimising compliance costs for business while maintaining consumer protections. Treasury is seeking feedback on…

2 December , 2021

ASIC encourages home insurers to be consumer-centric in handling claims this summer

ASIC recently completed a project reviewing insurance claims handling outcomes for consumers affected by the 2019-20 ‘Black Summer’ bushfires. The fires were declared a catastrophe (CAT195) by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) on 8 November 2019. During the 2019-2020 fires thirty-three people died, more than five and a half million hectares of bushland was…

29 November , 2021

New research finds nearly three-quarters of Australians want better complaints handling from digital platforms

New research from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has revealed that almost three in four Australians agree that it needs to be easier to make a complaint and to get their issues resolved when dealing with digital platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, eBay, and Service NSW. This is a media release from the Australian Communications Consumer…

29 November , 2021

Consumer advocates welcome recommendation for stricter controls of credit funded gambling online

Financial Counselling Australia (FCA), Financial Rights Legal Centre and the Consumer Action Law Centre welcome the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services’ recommendation for legislation to prohibit online gambling operators from accepting credit card funded deposits. This is a media release from the Financial Counselling Australia. It was originally published on 26th November, 2021. Yesterday the Committee released…

25 November , 2021

“Defending phone and internet accounts from fraudsters” report released

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) today released a report on systemic investigations into fraud enabled through phone and internet accounts. This is a media release from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO). It was originally published on 24th November, 2021. The report “Defending phone and internet accounts from fraudsters” shares the TIO’s findings on fraudsters being able to access telco…

25 November , 2021

How efficient is your dishwasher, and clothes dryer?

Energy rating labels provide consumers with information on the energy efficiency of a range of appliances including dishwashers and clothes dryers. High levels of performance, energy efficiency and water efficiency (where applicable) are priorities when purchasing electric dishwashers and rotary clothes dryers and included in the recently amended standards (AS/NZS 2007.1:2021 and AS/NZS 2442.1:2021). Consumers’ Federation of Australia…

22 November , 2021

ACCC’s product safety pledge improves consumer safety online

Over 90 per cent of identified unsafe product listings were removed within two business days by online businesses signed up to the Australian Product Safety Pledge. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was originally published on 19th November, 2021. The voluntary initiative commits signatories to 12 product safety actions, that go…

18 November , 2021

Aligning regulation across aged care, disability support & veteran’s care

The Australian Government is seeking to align regulation across the aged care, disability support and veterans’ care sector. The 2021-22 Budget encompasses a range of measures including short to long term program reforms. To progress this work, the Cross Agency Taskforce on Regulatory Alignment is now inviting input from a range of stakeholders, including consumers,…

18 November , 2021

Why do we need a whistleblowing management system?

Whistleblowers play an important role in identifying and calling out misconduct and harm to consumers and the community. The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) identifies the obligations of companies under the Corporations Act if they receive a report from a whistleblower and the requirement to have a whistleblowing policy. Whistleblowing processes – or systems for encouraging…

15 November , 2021

Views sought on caravan industry

Australians who have recently bought a new caravan are being urged to participate in an ACCC survey about possible consumer law issues in the industry. The ACCC has received more than 1,300 reports about the caravan industry over the past five years. Common complaints include retailers selling new caravans that do not meet consumer guarantees,…

8 November , 2021

Mental health discrimination by insurers: new report calls for urgent ASIC investigation

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) should immediately investigate how life insurers treat people with past or current mental health conditions, in response to continuing widespread discrimination by life insurers. This is a media release from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre. It was originally published on 8th November, 2021. This is a key recommendation of Mental Health Discrimination…