Motor vehicles Archives - Page 3 of 6 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

25 January , 2023

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Standing Data Consultation Paper

Electric vehicle (EV) charging is set to transform our electricity systems. The Energy Security Board (ESB) has published a consultation paper on Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Standing Data, seeking stakeholder feedback on the rationale for data collection, the potential scope of EVSE data coverage, potential data use cases and a range of implementation options including the collection…

28 September , 2022

Car sales in remote Indigenous communities: A broken system

In part two of CHOICE’s investigation, we look at the problems faced when trying to get a repair or refund. It’s July 2022 and Marilyn and Peter are sitting in the Cairns office of the Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network (ICAN). They’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. This is an article from CHOICE.…

28 September , 2022

Remote Indigenous communities left with broken cars and no redress

CHOICE travels to the remote Indigenous community of Wujal Wujal in Far North Qld to investigate dodgy motor vehicle sales. Cedric Friday says that every time he looks at his broken-down Holden Captiva it makes him angry. The second-hand car that he and his brother-in-law spent $19,000 on sits immovable in his driveway. This is…

31 August , 2022

Making Australia’s new homes more liveable

Federal, state and territory building ministers have agreed on a series of sweeping national reforms that will ensure that new homes in Australia will be more comfortable, liveable, accessible and energy efficient. This is a media release from The Hon Ed Husic MP: Minister for Industry and Science. It was originally published on 26th August, 2022. Industry…

22 August , 2022

Consumer empowerment must be central to Electric Vehicle Smart Charging

The Consumers’ Federation of Australia has made a submission to the Energy Security Board in response to its Issues Paper. CFA supports two representatives who participate in the Standards Committee, EM-001 Electric Vehicle Operation. The submission has been developed with the support of these expert consumer representatives and focuses on the questions in the Issues Paper related to…

5 May , 2022

How do you service an Electric Car? – draft open for public comment

If you’re trying to understand electric and hybrid vehicles, what’s under the bonnet can be a bit of a mystery including the maintenance and servicing requirements, read more here. The revised draft standard AS 5732 Electrical vehicle operations – Maintenance and repair provides requirements and guidance on the safe and appropriate handling procedures for those within the mechanical…

28 March , 2022

Breath alcohol electronic testing devices for personal use – draft open for public comment

Driving while under the influence of alcohol affects perception, vision, concentration, reaction time and causes drowsiness – all of which increase the chances of having an accident. Consequences of drink driving include severe penalties, trauma, and death. Breath alcohol testing devices for personal use should be able to perform in a manner that allows the user to make…

28 January , 2022

Seat belts for pets?

Australia has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world, yet when it comes to road safety, there is no national standard on the design, testing (including crash testing) or manufacture of car restraints to keep our pets and vehicle occupants safe. Dogs are the most popular animal companions (40%), followed by cats (27%). According to…

17 December , 2021

Productivity Commission’s Final Report on “Right To Repair” Released

Prepared by CFA Executive Member Ian Jarratt, of Queensland Consumers Association. He can be reached at ijarratt@australiamail.com. The final report was handed to the Australian Government on 29 October 2021 and publicly released on 1 December 2021. The Government has not yet announced its response to the report. CFA and several member organisations participated in the…

18 June , 2021

ACCC welcomes new law on motor vehicle service and repair information

The ACCC welcomes legislative changes which will increase competition and choice for consumers about where they have their cars serviced and repaired. These changes adopt recommendations from the ACCC’s new car retailing industry market study. This is an Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) media release, originally published on 18th June, 2021. The Competition and Consumer Amendment…

28 April , 2021

Losses to car ad scams climbing

Australians have already lost over $288,000 to vehicle scams in the first quarter of this year, more than all losses reported to Scamwatch in 2019, and scammers have now begun impersonating defence personnel to con their victims. This is an ACCC media release, originally published on 27th April, 2021. In a vehicle scam, scammers post fake…

26 March , 2021

Morrison Government levels the playing field for independent repairers

The Morrison Government has today introduced legislation into the Parliament to establish a mandatory scheme for the sharing of motor vehicle service and repair information. This ground breaking legislation will level the playing field for the automotive repair sector, increasing competition and consumer choice. This is a media release from The Hon Michael Sukkar MP,…