Articles Archives - Page 96 of 180 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

13 December , 2016

Productivity Commission calls for greater investment in consumer advocacy

Australia’s peak consumer body, the Consumers’ Federation of Australia, welcomed a finding from the Productivity Commission that additional public funding be provided to support consumer advocacy. The finding, made in the Commission’s Draft Report on Consumer Law Enforcement and Administration, recognised there is considerable unmet demand from policy makers for input from informed consumer advocates.…

8 December , 2016

Doubts about the value of car sale add-ons

Car buyers are being advised to exercise caution before agreeing to purchase ‘after sale add-ons’ and to get multiple quotes before accepting any finance offered by motor vehicle dealers. The advice follows a recent increase in complaints to Consumer Protection about the ‘extras’ sold at the point of sale of a vehicle which can include…

7 December , 2016

Victims of financial scandals need simple justice – response to Ramsay EDR Review

Following the slew of financial scandals Australians have faced in recent years, consumer advocates say that Australians need simple and accessible justice with reformed Ombudsman services. The Review of the Financial System External Dispute Resolution and Complaints Framework (Ramsay Review), led by Professor Ian Ramsay, today released its interim report. In response to the review,…

7 December , 2016

CHOICE welcomes inquiry into banking sector

Consumer advocacy group CHOICE has welcomed the establishment of a Senate Inquiry that will examine cases of wrongdoing in the banking and financial services sector. “Sunlight is the best disinfectant. This inquiry gives us a chance to shine a light on the anti-consumer practices that are riddled throughout the banking system,” says CHOICE Head of…

6 December , 2016

Financial Counselling Australia: Financial Counsellors Support Merger of FOS and CIO

Financial counsellors – who help hundreds of Australians with financial services disputes each year – have provided overwhelming support for the merger of the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Credit & Investments Ombudsman into a one stop financial complaints ombudsman service. Seventy-five percent of financial counsellors that responded to a survey by Financial Counselling Australia…

5 December , 2016

ACCAN: New Coalition formed to end the data drought

A group of like-minded advocacy groups have come together to end the data drought by forming the Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition to champion better communications services for consumers and small businesses living in rural, remote or regional areas. The Coalition includes the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), the…

2 December , 2016

Cooling-off periods for consumers don’t work: study

Paul Harrison, Deakin University When customers are offered a “cooling off” period, they don’t change their minds, even when the alternative is considered subjectively better, our research finds. We also found that some consumers (around 30%) only responded when contacted by the seller and asked if they would still like to opt in. Under current…

29 November , 2016

Sunglasses – more than a fashion accessory

With summer fast approaching, wearing sunglasses becomes part of our daily routine, but are they protecting you the way they should.

16 November , 2016 1 comment

Ladder safety

In one year in Australia, 1668 people aged 65 years and over were hospitalised because they fell from a ladder. Sixty-two per cent of those injuries occurred in or around their home.

15 November , 2016

Gap in service: ACCAN and SACOSS release report on a lack of telecommunication services to low-income consumers

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) and the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) have collaborated to publish a report on telecommunications affordability. The report, titled Connectivity Costs: Telecommunications Affordability for Low-Income Australia was formed through over 500 surveys with Centrelink recipients and low-income Health Care Card Holders and multiple focus groups. The…

18 October , 2016

ACCC market study into new car retailing—have your say

The ACCC is conducting a market study of the new car retailing industry. The market study will review industry practices in the sector to assist in identifying risks to consumers and the competitive process. The key issues to be covered by the study include: compliance with consumer guarantees obligations and the ability of consumers to…

11 October , 2016

Standards build trust – World Standards Day – 14 October 2016

World Standards Day is held on 14 October each year and has been recognised worldwide since 1970; it raises awareness and recognises the achievements and efforts of the thousands of experts who share their know-how and expertise in voluntary international standards setting. Australian consumers can be assured that the products and systems they use are safe and reliable thanks to an objective, rigorous set of standards.