Government Inquiries Archives - Consumers' Federation of Australia

25 October , 2023

Inquiry into the capability of law enforcement to respond to cybercrime

The Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) was recently contacted (below) by and about the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement’s new inquiry into cybercrime. As per our new Strategic Plan, CFA will not be writing up a separate submission but will instead network and assist members and other consumer advocates and organisations with their submissions.…

4 August , 2023

Presentation Date, Terms of Reference Announced for Flood Insurance Inquiry

Last week the Australian Government announced its intention to form a Senate Inquiry into insurer response to the 2022 floods. This week, according to a media release from Minister for Financial Services and Assistant Treasurer the Hon. Stephen Jones MP, will be presenting the motion for its consumer-focused Inquiry to the house this Monday, August 7th.

20 July , 2023

Inquiry into Insurer Responses to 2022 Floods Announced

In 2022 almost all Australian Territories and States experienced substantial flood events with New South Wales and South-East Queensland some of the worst affected areas. Now, after months of coverage over poor and variable insurer responses to flood damage and coverage, the Albanese Government is launching an inquiry into insurer responses.

29 June , 2023

Financial Counsellors Welcome Proposal to Ban Gambling Ads and Inducements

Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) welcomes the recommendations made by a Government inquiry into online gambling harm, saying the committee has heard the concerns of financial counsellors and the community, and responded.

Image 27 March , 2023

Queensland Consumers Association Makes Submission to Senate Cost of Living Inquiry

The Queensland Consumers Association has made a submission to the Senate Select Committee on the Cost of Living which is inquiring into: the cost of living pressures facing Australians; the Government’s fiscal policy response to the cost of living; ways to ease cost of living pressures through the tax and transfer system; measures to ease…

17 February , 2023

Advocates and industry agree: Time to close lending loopholes on buy now, pay later

Key stakeholders call for buy now, pay later should be regulated as meantime credit In submissions released publicly by the Treasury today, major banks, industry associations, regulators and consumer advocates are unified in calling for an end to lending loopholes allowing buy now, pay later providers to avoid safe lending laws. Groups who made submissions…

29 October , 2022

Federal Government to develop standard insurance definitions and review standard cover regime

An Albanese Government initiative to help reduce the cost of insurance in communities at risk of natural disasters, will enhance mitigation measures and drive better outcomes for insurance holders. The Hazard Insurance Partnership and Strategic Insurance Project aims to address rising insurance premiums and help communities be better prepared for disasters. Federal Minister for Emergency…

17 December , 2021

Strengthening protections for consumers and small businesses

The Morrison Government is consulting on ways to strengthen the consumer guarantee and supplier indemnification provisions under the Australian Consumer Law. This is a media release from The Hon Michael Sukkar MP. It was originally published on 14th December, 2021. The consultation paper released today includes options for civil prohibitions and penalties for suppliers that fail to provide…

8 December , 2020

Issues paper released for the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Right to Repair

The Productivity Commission has released an issues paper to assist individuals and organisations to prepare submissions to the Inquiry into Right to Repair. Right to Repair is a consumer’s ability to repair faulty goods, or access repair services, at a competitive price. This can include repair by a manufacturer, a third-party, or self-repair. The inquiry…

30 October , 2020

Productivity Commission Inquiry into Right to Repair

The Morrison Government yesterday released terms of reference for the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into the Right to Repair in Australia. Consumers, or third parties, can face challenges repairing products that develop faults or require maintenance, due to a lack of access to necessary tools, parts or diagnostic software. According to MobileMuster, 33 per cent of…

4 August , 2020

Participate in the Country of Origin Food Labelling Consultation

The Federal Government has begun an evaluation of Australia’s country of origin food labelling system to make sure it’s working for Australian consumers. The evaluation of country of origin labelling for food will consider if the labels are helping consumers make more informed choices, as well as clarifying the origin claims that businesses can make,…

14 May , 2020

Helping motorists find the best deal at the bowser

The Marshall Liberal Government will deliver real time petrol pricing to South Australian motorists following the findings of an extensive review undertaken by the South Australian Productivity Commission. The Commission’s review found that while petrol price cycles still existed in those jurisdictions that did have fuel price monitoring, the presence of real time pricing data…