Articles Archives - Page 91 of 179 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

21 October , 2017

Safety Standards for Exercise Equipment Reviewed and Maintained

Product safety standards for exercise bikes and treadmills have been maintained to ensure the safety of users, Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack says. “As Minister responsible for Consumer Affairs, one of my highest priorities is for Australian consumers’ safety,” Mr McCormack said. “Australians should feel confident when they purchase a good, the item will operate…

19 October , 2017

Consumer Advocate Groups welcome ACCC’s Preliminary Report on retail electricity prices

Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) and the Queensland Consumers Association (QCA) have welcomed the ACCC’s Preliminary Report for its Electricity Supply & Prices Inquiry. In his Preliminary Report, ACCC chairman Rod Sims has confirmed that the electricity market is not working as it should and not delivering good value for money outcomes for consumers. The QCA says this confirms what…

19 October , 2017

Free Access to Australian Standards

Free onsite and offsite access to Australian standards online, is being made available via membership of the National Library of Australia and the State Library of your domicile. Check the status with the library for more details. *This service is no longer available. Standards Australia will fund and make available access to Australian Standards by…

9 October , 2017

Major NSW Ticket Scalping Reforms to Put Consumers First

Tough new ticket scalping reforms will help stamp out dodgy price gouging practices in the live entertainment industry, NSW Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean announced today. The proposed reforms would put consumers first and stop tickets from being swept up and resold at grossly inflated prices on the secondary market. Mr Kean said the proposed…

6 October , 2017

World Standards Day 2017 – Standards Make Cities Smarter

We take this opportunity to thank all the Consumers Federation of Australia Standards representatives for their hard work and achievements on the Standards Australia Technical Committees and international standards committees. World Standards Day promotes the role of standards in meeting the needs of consumers, industry, business and government. This year’s theme is “Standards make cities…

28 September , 2017

Action Plan to Help Indigenous Australians with Consumer Issues

Media release from the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Consumer issues including scams, unscrupulous door- to-door sellers, and discrimination in the housing market headline some of the key priority areas in the National Indigenous Consumer Strategy (NICS) Action Plan 2017–2019. NICS members are the ACCC, ASIC, state consumer affairs agencies and the Indigenous Consumer…

26 September , 2017

Changes to Standards on Construction in Bushfire Prone Areas – Public Comment

Standards Australia is seeking comments on the draft changes to the Australian Standard AS 3959 Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas. Consumers Federation of Australia has a representative on the Standards Australia Technical Committee, which has been reviewing the standard over the past three years following the the Victorian Royal Commission. The review is also…

22 September , 2017

Do Not Knock Informed Community Program Expands to Hope Vale

The following is a media release from the Office of Fair Trading (Qld). The Do Not Knock informed communities program expanded to Hope Vale today (21 September 2017), with residents marking the occasion at a community event. The program aims to deter unscrupulous door-to-door traders with prominent roadside signage reminding travelling salespeople of their responsibilities…

8 September , 2017

Response to Retirement Housing Inquiry fails to provide access to justice

Joint media release from Consumer Action, COTA, HHAG and RRVV: After six months of waiting, the Victorian Government has responded to the Inquiry into the Retirement Housing Sector, conducted by the Victorian Legislative Council. The Victorian Government’s response to the Parliamentary Inquiry has failed to deliver, according to retirement housing residents and advocates. Despite nearly…

8 September , 2017

Plugs and Sockets Standard Gets an Update

When you plug your phone charger in to a wall socket, how do you know that it will fit? A new edition of the standard for plugs and sockets used in Australia and New Zealand, AS/NZS 3112, Approval and test specification – Plugs and socket – outlets, has been published. Read more here. Standards are…

3 September , 2017

CHOICE Calls for Urgent Reform of Ticket Resales Industry

From CFA member CHOICE: A study of the ticket resale industry has found desperate fans are fed up with a market which uses unfair sales tactics to deliberately confuse, overcharge and hit them with sneaky fees. “From Ed Sheeran and Adele to Cirque Du Soleil and the Cricket World Cup, consumers are being hoodwinked into…

31 August , 2017

Federal Government Taking Submissions in Fight Against Modern Slavery – Standards

Millions of people around the world today are subjected to modern slavery practices, such as servitude and forced labour. Australian businesses and consumers are benefiting from modern slavery in supply chains, including through access to cheaper labour and services. These are grave violations of human rights with devastating impacts which have no place in our…