Vulnerable Consumers Archives - Page 9 of 21 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

28 March , 2024

Consumers Respond to ACCC: Higher Grocery Prices Force Many to Sacrifice

“Taking into account the demographics of those who have already responded, we particularly want to hear from more adults under the age of 30, people for whom English is not their first language, and people in rural and regional parts of Australia.”

“Having responses that reflect the whole community’s experience will help us to identify the right issues that need to be explored more deeply in our inquiry. Findings from the consumer survey will be included as part of the ACCC’s interim report, due by the end of August,” Mr Keogh said.

25 March , 2024

“Irresponsible” Car Loans on a “broader scale”: Consumers and advocates speak out against Money3 as ASIC sues over alleged breaches

Need to know Financial counsellors are sounding the alarm about an “irresponsible” car loan provider targeting people on low incomes. These consumer advocates say Money3 Loans is failing to properly assess whether its customers can pay off the loans, and is charging exorbitant interest rates on top of that. Last year the Australian Securities and…

20 March , 2024

Cost to Teeth – Advocates Urge Action on Dental Cover

Almost four in ten Australians (37%) aged 55+ have delayed or completely put off going to the dentist in the past year due to cost, research released today by COTA Australia – the leading advocacy organisation for older Australians has found.

14 March , 2024

Advocacy Groups Urge Action for a Robust Aged Care Act

Original media release by and for COTA (12/03/2024). Federal Goverment must deliver robust Aged Care Act without delay. Rights of older people have been ignored for too long The Federal Government must finally deliver a new Aged Care Act that protects and enforces the rights of older people, allows visitors in aged care at all…

13 March , 2024

Digital Platforms Need to Take Responsibility, CHOICE Urges Government Action

Original media release by and from CHOICE (13/03/2024). Big tech responsible for big losses: 249% increase in social media scam losses since 2020 CHOICE calls for strong rules to force digital platforms to rein in scams Consumer group CHOICE is demanding urgent government action to force digital platforms to prevent scam losses, after the National…

13 March , 2024

Buy Now, Pay Later Regulation A Step Forward, But Regulatory Holes Remain A Concern

Original media release by and from Consumer Action Law Centre (12/03/2024). Consumer groups have responded to draft Buy Now, Pay Later legislation (BNPL) released today : Quotes attributable to Stephanie Tonkin, CEO of Consumer Action Law Centre“We welcome regulating Buy Now, Pay Later and future unregulated products as credit because every day we are speaking…

12 March , 2024

FCA Calls for In-Program Gambling Ads to be Removed from Survivor

“This is completely inappropriate,” said Lauren Levin, The Director of Policy and Campaigns at FCA. “It was shown at a time when children would be watching. ‘Set for Life’ is exposing children to a gambling product and we know gambling can be very harmful.”

One of the contestants won a challenge and part of her prize was a ‘Set for Life’ package worth $60,000. The logo was displayed a number of times during show segments and the product was also mentioned on numerous occasions throughout the episode.

8 March , 2024

Consultation for AER on Developing a Toolkit to Identify and Support Vulnerable Consumers

Original text from the AER (8/03/2024). The Australian Energy Regulator is developing a toolkit to help consumer-facing energy businesses identify and engage with consumers experiencing vulnerability. The toolkit has been informed by: It summarises insights from these sources into 6 better practice principles: The toolkit has been designed to help staff at consumer-facing energy businesses…

4 March , 2024

ASIC Steps Up Surveillance and Website Takedowns to Shut Down Scams

New data has revealed nearly 3,500 investment scam websites have been knocked out by ASIC’s scam website takedown capability since it was launched in July 2023, as ASIC sharpens its efforts to protect Australians from digitally enabled misconduct.

29 February , 2024

Independent Review of Australia’s Credit Reporting Framework Commences

Original media release from the Attorney-General’s media centre (27/02/2024). The Australian Government has commenced an independent review of Australia’s Credit Reporting Framework. Australia’s credit reporting system plays an important role in assessing eligibility and suitability for credit and in reducing the risk of financial harm to consumers, as well as protecting the privacy of individuals…

28 February , 2024

No Say, No Knowledge, No Control: Personal Data in Australia

When was the last time you were certain that your data wasn’t being collected, shared, tracked or used in unfair business practices? A recently released joint research report from the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) ‘Singled Out: Consumer understanding – and misunderstanding – of data broking, data…

27 February , 2024

Federal Government Opens Consultation on Feasibility Study for Limiting Unhealthy Food Marketing to Children

The Federal Department of Health and Aged Care has engaged a project team led by the University of Wollongong to deliver a feasibility study on options to limit unhealthy food marketing to children. Recommendations will be provided to Government for consideration by mid-2024.

Information about the project and the consultation paper are available here and the closing date for comments is 15 March.