A complex market needs simple dispute resolution – On The Wire

In this month's On The Wire we're calling for simple dispute resolution in the energy market... Dispute resolution must be consistent, regardless of where a consumer’s energy supply comes from, who it...

September 30, 2015

Energy disconnections: Lyn’s story

Lyn is 58 years old. She lives with her daughter in Melbourne’s north, and they have experienced several energy disconnections. Lyn is a survivor of domestic violence, and her financial problems stem...

September 28, 2015

We’re hiring – Senior Policy Officer – Vendor Terms

We are undertaking an exciting project with the aim to bring up to date current consumer sector knowledge of unconventional home sales arrangements known as “Rent to Buy” or “vendor terms” for sellers...

September 25, 2015

Cash Converters taken to court after reforms fail to protect vulnerable

Payday lending reforms from 2013 have failed vulnerable Australians according to Consumer Action Law Centre, as they take Cash Converters to court on behalf of a disability support pensioner over a ca...

September 24, 2015

Energy disconnections: Sarah’s story

Sarah is a writer in her forties. She lives by herself in an inner Melbourne apartment, which she rents privately. With a tertiary degree and regular work, Sarah had always been able to manage her fin...

September 23, 2015

Solving Energy Bill Disputes – Studio 10

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06LFC6jclIM] Denise Boyd speaks with Studio 10 about energy bill disputes....

September 22, 2015

Taking action against a credit repair company

There are easy options for seeking a refund or compensation from a credit repair company. Many Victorians have experienced problems with credit repair companies. If you are one of these people, and yo...

September 21, 2015

Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs Inquiry into the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015. Read our full submission here [PDF]....

September 21, 2015

Response to The Age – ‘Vocational education, the biggest get-rich quick scheme in Australia’

Katherine Temple - Senior Policy Officer in response to 'Vocational education, the biggest get-rich quick scheme in Australia' (The Age, 17/09/2015) We are shocked and dismayed by the story in The Ag...

September 17, 2015

Submission to Northern Australia Insurance Premiums Taskforce Interim Report

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Northern Australia Insurance Premiums Taskforce Interim Report. Read the full submission here [PDF]...

September 15, 2015

ASIC report highlights exorbitant costs of rent-to-buy household goods: Consumer groups

The poorest and most vulnerable Australians are paying grossly inflated prices for household goods via “rent-to-buy” or “consumer lease” deals, as shown by a new report from the Australian Securities...

September 11, 2015

Rent-to-buy products must be kicked off Centrepay

Leading consumer groups are calling for the Australian Parliament to support moves by the Senate to protect the integrity of Centrelink’s budgeting tool for essentials, Centrepay, by excluding rent-to...

September 10, 2015

Energy disconnections: Emira’s story

Emira lives in public housing in regional Victoria with her young son, Jack. At 27, she has faced significant challenges in her life: she left a violent family home at 14, and has since found herself...

September 10, 2015

AEMC Multiple Trading Relationships Consultation Paper

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) welcomes the opportunity to provide input into the AEMC's consultation paper on Multiple Tradition Relationships (MTR) in the National Electricity Mark...

September 9, 2015

September 2015

Read, watch and listen to media featuring Consumer Action from September 2015. Mental glitch that's making us spend https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://www.news.com.au/financ...

September 8, 2015

Energy disconnections: Julie’s story

Julie is 48 years old and lives alone in a public housing unit. In the past Julie has struggled with alcohol addiction, and has recently escaped a violent partner. She suffers from post-traumatic stre...

September 4, 2015

Response to “Making Energy Bills Fairer For Families” – Minister for Energy, Lily D’Ambrosio

Quotes attributable to Janine Rayner, Senior Policy Officer - Consumer Action Law Centre in response to Victorian Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio's announcement "Making Energy Bills Fairer For Familie...

September 1, 2015

Energy disconnections: Karen’s story

Karen is a single mother of four children living in public housing. Her gas and electricity were disconnected for about a week in October 2014. At that time Karen was a victim of domestic violence. He...

September 1, 2015

The energy market is failing struggling Victorians

Victoria’s energy market is failing our most vulnerable people, according to Consumer Action Law Centre. With the release of the Essential Services Commission’s Energy Hardship Inquiry Draft Report to...

September 1, 2015