Transport

Post thumbnail

The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) is reviewing its Car Rental Code. Signatories of this code include Avis Budget Group, Hertz, Europcar, Thrifty, East Coast Car Rentals, Sixt, Bayswater Car Rental and Redspot/Enterprise. The Code ensures an industry standard is met on a number of issues, including transparency of pricing and credit card charging practices,…

Read More Seeking CFA Member to Prepare a Submission to a Review of the AFIA Car Rental Code

Post thumbnail

Domestic airfares generally fell last year after reaching record highs in late-2022, but cancellations and delays remain higher than long-term industry averages, the ACCC’s latest Domestic Airline Competition in Australia report reveals.

The report shows that average revenue per passenger, which represents average prices across all fare types, was 13.4 per cent lower in December 2023 than in December 2022, in real (inflation-adjusted) terms.

Read More Airfares Cheaper But Cancellations and Delays Increased in 2023

growth, business, businessman-1953662.jpg growth, business, businessman-1953662.jpg

A lack of transparent pricing information caused a poor understanding by consumers of how prices were set. This was significantly worsened by a lack of competition. While market concentration was a major issue, the inquiry found prices in Australia are way higher than in many other less competitive markets.

Large price increases occurred across many sectors.

Read More Supermarkets, airlines and power companies are charging ‘exploitative’ prices despite reaping record profits

financial, analysis, accounting-4560047.jpg financial, analysis, accounting-4560047.jpg

“The volume of complaints escalated to AFCA has been increasing at an unsustainable rate,” David Locke, the Chief Ombudsman and Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), said.  

“Scam-related complaints to AFCA have nearly doubled between 2022 and 2023. They continue to be of great concern to us. We are also seeing the impact of increased interest rates and cost of living pressures, with complaints involving financial hardship also significantly higher,” Mr Locke said.

Read More Ombudsman Warns of “Unsustainable” Increase as AFCA sees a Record 100,000 Complaints

airport, woman, flight-2373727.jpg airport, woman, flight-2373727.jpg

A new survey of almost 9000 supporters from consumer group CHOICE has found 40% of respondents had a flight cancelled or delayed in the past 12 months. 

“As we head into the Christmas season, a huge number of people will be relying on flights to visit family and friends. Unfortunately, our survey of almost 9000 people from across the country has found consumers still face a number of difficulties when dealing with the aviation industry,” says CHOICE Senior Campaigns and Policy Advisor, Bea Sherwood.

Read More Consumer Groups Call for New Passenger Rights for Flyers as Delays and Cancellations Continue

Post thumbnail

The ACCC issued four infringement notices to IMG in relation to four different models of Mechatronic Auto Parts branded replacement car key remotes supplied by IMG to Repco and Supercheap Auto that allegedly failed to include the required safety warning labels about the hazards associated with button batteries. IMG paid $59,640 in penalties. 

The ACCC also issued two infringement notices to each of Repco and Supercheap Auto for supplying two types of car key remote products to consumers. Repco and Supercheap Auto paid $33,000 and $26,640, respectively, in penalties.

Mandatory safety and information standards were introduced in Australia in June 2022, following significant injuries and the death of three children caused by button batteries. The information standard requires warning information and safety advice to be displayed on packaging and batteries.

Read More Major Suppliers and Retailers Pay Penalties for Alleged Button Battery Standards Breaches

laptop, conference table, mouse-7978588.jpg laptop, conference table, mouse-7978588.jpg

The Motor Car Traders Claims Committee (the Committee) is a statutory committee established under the Motor Car Traders Act 1986 (the Act). The function of the committee is to consider and determine claims for compensation made against the Motor Car Traders Guarantee Fund (the Fund).

this role you will be responsible for:

Determining claims made by consumers against the Fund

Seeking advice and information on the claim from any person or body

Requesting the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, police and public authorities provide information to the Committee.

Please refer to the Position Description for a full list of the responsibilities of this role.

Read More Motor Car Traders Claims Committee – Consumer Member

agree, english, consent-1728448.jpg agree, english, consent-1728448.jpg

Businesses are trotting them out left and right these days, but it’s not clear who gives them the authority to do that, since you already have a right to the three Rs without promising to keep matters confidential. 

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) effectively keep problems with a product or service a secret so other customers can’t know that it has a history of problems.
“The ACCC has made clear that non-disparagement clauses can breach unfair contract terms provisions. 

“Again this comes back to the imbalance of power and information between consumer and business, and why we need strong, enforceable consumer protections.”

Read More Non-Disclosure Agreements, Unfair Contracts and Consumer Rights

Post thumbnail

The Proposed Conduct relates to the cooperation between Virgin Australia and Air NZ on trans-Tasman services (on routes that Virgin Australia does not operate), including the ability for Virgin Australia to codeshare on Air NZ operated services which contain pricing provisions that may otherwise trigger the prohibition against resale price maintenance. Cooperation on commercial arrangements between Virgin Australia and Air NZ in relation to frequent flyer programs, lounge access, and joint corporate customer offers are conditional upon these codeshare arrangements.

Closing date for submissions on interim authorisation is 18 December 2023.

Read More Consultation on Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand Trans-Tasman Services