Regulator news and government inquiries

Rod Sims ACCC Chair Rod Sims ACCC Chair

Rod Sims, new chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission made his first address to the Melbourne Press Club on 10 October 2011, putting a number of sectors on notice, including the major supermarket chains. “The two major supermarkets have significant market power, with many smaller suppliers feeling they lack a real ability to…

Read More ACCC Chair puts supermarkets on notice

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court, alleging misleading or deceptive conduct in relation to the promotion and supply of chicken products. The ACCC is taking action against Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd and Bartter Enterprises Pty Ltd which supply chickens nationally under the Steggles brand, Turi Foods which supplies…

Read More ACCC takes action over ‘free to roam’ chicken claims

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Telecommunications Reports 2009-10, tabled in Parliament today, show clear trends developing around fixed and mobile services.

Subscription numbers for both fixed and mobile services suggest that while mobile take-up continues to grow, this is not necessarily at the cost of fixed line services.

Read More Wireless increasingly popular, but fixed lines dominate downloads

SCAMwatch is warning Australians to continue to be wary of scammers who offer bogus government rebates for the installation of solar panels and scam websites that either falsely claim to be affiliated with government or boast bogus government endorsements.

Read these latest scam watch alerts from the ACCC.

Read More New ACCC scam alerts: solar offers and fake government websites

Peter Kell Peter Kell

On Monday 12th September 2011 in Canberra more than 70 business, industry association and government representatives attended the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce forum Small business and scams: sorting out the shams. Academics, compliance and enforcement experts and small business specialists, including ACCC Deputy Chair Dr Michael Schaper, shed light on their experience of scams, the…

Read More Scams, shams and small business

The Productivity Commission has released the final report on its inquiry into Australia’s urban water sector, proposing profound changes to the way water services are provided in cities and regional towns across Australia. Along the way it restated its support for national funding of a peak consumer advocacy organisation.

Read More Profound changes to urban water services recommended

CFA member ACCAN was established in 2009. At the time the government committed to conduct a review of ACCAN’s performance after two years of operation. Having now reached that point, the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) is keen to hear all views. Submissions are due by 19th October. The terms of…

Read More ACCAN – what do you think? Government review happening

The 2011-12 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee will begin a series of public consultations around Australia as it examines telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote parts of the country. The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today welcomed the beginning of the consultation process and the release of the…

Read More Public consultations begin for 2011-12 Regional Telecommunications Review

ACCC mandatory product safety reporting triggers recalls Issued 16th August 2011 The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has released figures for the first six months of the mandatory reporting product safety requirement under the Australian Consumer Law. http://www.productsafety.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/988537   ACCC institutes proceedings against Trade Quip over labelling of hydraulic trolley jacks Issued 25 July 2011…

Read More August product safety news