Articles Archives - Page 82 of 179 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

5 December , 2018

Scam Technology Project to address proliferation of scams

The ACMA has established a Scam Technology Project to explore practical technical solutions to address the proliferation of scam calls over Australian telecommunications networks. ‘Scam calls are more than a nuisance. They pose a real threat, particularly to those in vulnerable circumstances such as older people,’ said ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin. “This project will investigate…

5 December , 2018

Pricing it right

New unit pricing standard empowers consumers Consumers have been equipped with a new tool making buying decisions easier with products now able to be compared on a fairer level, thanks to an international effort spearheaded by Australian experts including Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA) representative Ian Jarratt. The recently published International Standard, ISO 21041:2018, Guidance on…

4 December , 2018

New standard to help minimise risks at trampoline parks

The trampoline park industry in Australia has grown from a few centres in 2012 to over 80 open today. With this increase in popularity comes a higher chance of injury, and a greater role for standards to play in minimising risks that might lead to such injuries. Read more here Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA) representative…

3 December , 2018

International Volunteer Day 2018

International Volunteer Day (IVD) 5 December 2018, “Volunteers build resilient communities”, recognises volunteers worldwide – with a special focus on local community volunteers – who contribute to making their communities more resilient against natural disasters, economic stresses and political shocks. The campaign theme combines the recognition of volunteers with concrete evidence from the State of the World’s…

1 December , 2018

Federal Labor promises crack down on ticket gouging

Labor will give Aussie sports and music fans a fair go, cracking down on ticket gouging which locks fans out of major events. Labor will introduce a national ban on the use of ticket-buying bot software, which flood ticket websites to purchase the most tickets possible, causing ordinary consumers to miss out. It is estimated bots account…

30 November , 2018

Fairer health insurance

Our health system should empower and support us to live happy and healthy lives. But increasingly, thousands of us are feeling frustrated by high-cost, low-value and overly complex health insurance policies. CHOICE research finds the majority of us don’t feel like we get value from our health insurance and are hit with high costs when…

29 November , 2018

Banks’ compliance, monitoring and reporting deficient, report finds

Banks breached their Code of Banking Practice 10,123 times in 2017–18, according to a Banking Code Compliance Monitoring Committee (CCMC) report released today. The CCMC said these self-reported breaches of the Banking Code affected more than 3.4 million people, costing them more than $95 million. However, these impacts are likely to be significantly understated. The number…

28 November , 2018

Who controls the data your smart meter collects about you?

The UK and Australian energy markets are remarkably similar. In both markets a smart meter rollout is currently underway. Comparing the rights the UK regulator gives UK consumers to control their smart meter, against the total lack of control the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) offers Australian consumers, is enlightening. In this article by Dr Martin…

28 November , 2018

ASIC puts spotlight on the rapidly growing buy now pay later industry

ASIC has released its first review of the rapidly growing buy now pay later industry. The review of this diverse and evolving market has found that buy now pay later arrangements are influencing the spending habits of consumers, especially younger consumers. A buy now pay later arrangement allows consumers to purchase and obtain goods and…

28 November , 2018

Smart products – protect yourself and your family from risks

The number of smart products and objects connected to the internet is rapidly expanding. Worryingly, some products are so insecure that someone with minimal hacking skills can access cameras and microphones, communicate directly with people in the house or access other devices in the home. Consumers International and the Internet Society have produced a video and some practical advice…

26 November , 2018

Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee releases Annual Report

The Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee (the Committee) released its Annual Compliance Report today. A copy can be downloaded here. The Committee welcomes an increase in self reporting of breaches of the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice (the Code). However, many of those who subscribe to the Code still have work to do to achieve good…

22 November , 2018

Where to start with solar

“Given energy prices on the rise while the cost of solar power systems declines, it’s little wonder that almost one in four Australian households are using some form of solar power,” says CHOICE spokesperson Nicky Breen. “Interest in solar is growing with more than 750,000 solar power systems installed across the country in the last…