December 2012
Companies too quick to disconnect utilities: report ABC News, 11 December 2012 Big increase in gas, electricity disconnections ABC News, 10 December 2012 12 days of Christmas on the cards Syd...
Consumer Action welcomes the Victorian Government’s plan to establish a Fire Services Monitor
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the Victorian Government’s plan to establish a Fire Services Monitor to protect consumer interests as changes are made to the way the fire services levy is admi...
The Age publishes recording of ACM Group attempting to collect debts
A recent Federal Court ruling found debt collection agency ACM Group (and its predecessor Accounts Control Management Services) engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct as well as undue harassment...
November 2012
Price rises in gas, electricity contracts under fire News.com.au, 25 November 2012, Karen Collier Kogan, Telstra leak Click Frenzy discounts ahead of online sales News.com.au, 20 November 2012,...
Debt collection – keeping a record of debt collector contact
Even if you owe money, the law protects you against unlawful debt collection conduct. See our fact sheets on What can I do if a debt collector calls? for more information. This Debt Collection Contac...
Consumers’ Federation of Australia consumer survey
The Consumers’ Federation of Australia stands up for consumer rights. Its new consumer survey is a chance for you to tell it what is important to you. This survey is open to all consumers in Austra...
Funeral plans: what are you paying for?
We understand that, for many Australians, funeral plans offer a level of certainty and peace of mind, both emotionally and financially. But Australians thinking about taking out a funeral plan should...
Consumer Guarantees: Defective goods and services
Key message: When you buy goods or services, those goods or services must meet certain standards called 'guarantees' under the Australian Consumer Law. Use this template letter if you purchase...
October 2012
Victims in false debt claims The Age, 31 October 2012, Andrea Petrie Consumer law to-do list maps the big picture Daily Telegraph, 25 October 2012, Rosemarie Lentini Shorten's flexible approac...
On the Wire: edition 33
Consumer action has published the October edition of On the Wire, a quarterly publication featuring updates on national energy market reforms and regulatory processes. Edition 33 can be found here....
Senate Select Inquiry on Electricity Prices
Consumer Action has provided evidence to the Senate Select Inquiry on Electricity Prices. Before the committee, Consumer Action argued that consumer welfare has been given insufficient attention by Au...
Motor Finance Wizard – general information
Use this fact sheet if you: have a contract with Motor Finance Wizard and want more information. More information can be found in our related factsheets: Action Sheet: Motor Finance Wiza...
Motor Finance Wizard: how to make a free complaint to the Credit and Investments Ombudsman
Use this fact sheet if you: want to make a free complaint about Motor Finance Wizard to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) This factsheet should be read along with our relate...
Motor Finance Wizard – Walker v DTGV1 Pty Ltd
Key Message: DTGV1 Pty Ltd, trading as V1 Leasing, is one of a number of companies which trade under the name of ‘Motor Finance Wizard’; in Walker v DTGV1 Pty Ltd, Motor Finance Wizard w...
Dispute Resolution: Consumer Disputes in VCAT
Key points If you have a dispute with a business, you can make a complaint to VCAT; Small Claims in VCAT are designed for consumers to represent themselves; application fees are usually wai...
September 2012
Electricity prices continue to soar in Victoria, Essential Services Commission report reveals Herald Sun, 20 September 2012, Anne Wright Power shock: bills up 33% in five years The Age, 20 Septem...
Submission: Early Termination Fees under Consumer Leases
Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to comment on Treasury's discussion paper on early termination fees under consumer leases. In this submission: we welcome attempts to improve transparency an...
Consumer Action’s Policy and Campaigns Plan 2012-13
Consumer Action is a not-for-profit, independent community organisation, focused on advancing the interests of consumers. We advocate for more equitable outcomes for consumers, particularly those who...
August 2012
Push for ban on door-to-door sales Herald Sun, 28 August 2012, Karina Barrymore Door-to-door sales in hot water again as Fair Work Ombudsman accuses company of underpaying workers Smatrcompany.co...
Consumer Affairs Victoria issues warning about maths tutoring software
Consumer Affairs Victoria says parents of school children should be wary about aggressive selling methods of maths tutorial software. Some of these programs cost nearly $8000 and are marketed by sale...
Private Colleges
Common themes emerging in consumer complaints about some private colleges and training institutions has prompted the Consumer Action to publish a guide about common problems, how to avoid them and wh...
Timeshare schemes
Consumer Action’s legal advice line regularly hears from consumers who have signed up for timeshare schemes - schemes which allow points or credits to be redeemed for holiday accommodation. We’ve hea...
June 2012
Thrifty moves for plastic users The Age, 27 June2012, Clancy Yeates Warning as banks try hard-sell approach to credit card customers Herald Sun, 19 June 2012, Karina Barrymore Millions of Aust...
Working for a fairer energy market
Energy market reform Our work brings the consumer voice to the national energy market. Our advocacy draws on real consumer concerns —expressed through our casework services (legal and financial counse...
Advocating for vulnerable, low income debtors
Low-income debtors often get the worst deal when it comes to dealing with debt—inaccessible or weak hardship assistance, particularly for those in long-term hardship; misleading or severe debt collect...
What if I have been sued for a debt?
Key message Act quickly to get advice if you have been sued for a debt in the Magistrate’s Court of Victoria. The Magistrates Court Process If the amount owed is $100,000 or less, a creditor...
Credit limit offers in the spotlight
We've all seen letters or messages from banks trying to entice us to increase our credit card limits. They come in a range or forms from Congratulations, you’ve been pre-approved, to Increase your cre...
Submission: Productivity Commission’s Regulatory Impact Assessment benchmarking study
This submission argues that the Regulatory Impact Assessment process could be improved if government agencies had more guidance on how to assess the benefits of regulation and the less tangible impact...
May 2012
VicRoads ordered to court in parking case ABC Online, 30 May 2012, Sarah Farnsworth Credit limit offers in the spotlight Briefed: The Law Blog, Herald Sun, 28 May 2012, Gerard Brody Short-chan...
Submission: Proposed amendments to the Consumer Credit and Corporations Legislation Amendment (Enhancements) Bill 2011
In brief, this submission recommends: With regards to hardship variations that Government consider providing detailed guidance to credit providers, perhaps through ASIC, to assist them to better a...
April 2012
Banks target vulnerable customers The Sunday Age, 29 April 2012, Deborah Gough Anger over changes to payday loans Sydney Morning Herald, 25 April 2012, Ruth Williams Electricity consumers pay...
Joint submission: Reforming flood insurance (Treasury)
Joint submission with Financial Counselling Australia, the Insurance Law Service and Footscray Community Legal Centre in response to the Commonwealth Government’s consultation paper Reforming Flood In...
Credit limit offers in the spotlight
We’ve all seen letters, emails or text message from banks trying to entice us to increase our credit limits. They come in a range or forms from Congratulations, you’ve been pre-approved, to Increase y...
Energy retailers urged to end door-to-door sales
Consumer Action has challenged Australia's energy retailers to put an end to door-to-door energy sales. The Centre issued the challenge on the back of new research showing 77 per cent of Australians h...
March 2012
Court action follows door-to-door complaints PerthNow, 27 March 2012 Mortgage delinquency rate spikes ABC Radio, PM, 27 March 2012, Michael Janda Baillieu Government backs water fines for late...
February 2012
Flood cover: Insurers are still waiting Insurance News, 27 February 2012 Gillard Government doubles the maximum interest rate vulnerable consumers can be slugged The Daily Telegraph, 25 February 20...
Submission: Fact sheets for home building and home contents insurance contracts (Treasury)
Submission to Commonwealth Treasury on the proposal to introduce key facts sheets for home building and home contents insurance contracts. To read our submission, please click here: Home Building and...
Submission: Proposed acquisition of GEAC by AGL Limited (ACCC)
Submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on the proposed acquisition of Loy Yang Power (GEAC) by AGL Limited To read our submission, please click: AGL Energy : GEAC acquisitio...
Submission: Review of the regulatory impact assessment process (Department of Finance)
Submission to the Review of the Australian Government’s Regulatory Impact Assessment Process To read our submission, please click: Review of the Regulatory Impact Assessment process...
Do I have to pay an old debt?
Key Messages: There are time limits for taking legal action. This means that your debts may become too old for a creditor to successfully take legal action against you. Get advice before maki...
Submission: Energy white paper (Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism)
Submission to the Federal Government’s Energy White Paper consultation. To read our submission, please click: Draft Energy White Paper...
Federal Government’s Energy White Paper consultation
Consumer Action made a substantial submission to the Federal Government’s Energy White Paper consultation. The Draft White Paper is largely directed to industry development and investment, but is sile...
New consumer guide released: common problems in private colleges and training institutions
Common themes emerging in consumer complaints about some private colleges and training institutions has prompted the Consumer Action to publish a guide about common problems, how to avoid them and whe...
Debt collection – I’m being hassled by a debt collector, what should I do?
Use this fact sheet if you: are being hassled by a debt collector; or think that a debt collector or a creditor might be acting unfairly or unlawfully What do I do if I am being hassled b...
Policy Position on Water Pricing for Sustainable Household Consumption
Consumer Action has released a policy position paper on water pricing. While recognising the difficulties of rising water prices, the paper argues that over-reliance on water pricing as a demand manag...
Joint consumer submission: EDR jurisdiction where debt collection commenced (ASIC)
Joint consumer submission in response to ASIC consultation paper 172: jurisdiction of External Dispute Resolution schemes to hear complaints against financial services providers who have started debt...
Ombudsman asked to consider lending practices of payday loan provider
Consumer Action is lodging another dispute against a high profile payday loan provider. The most recent dispute, being lodged on behalf of Ms Jane Bowyer with the Credit Ombudsman Service, alleges The...
Submission: Gift cards in the Australian market (CCAAC)
Submission to the Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council in response to its Issues Paper: Gift Cards in the Australian Market. To read our submission, please click: Issues paper- gift cards i...
Policy Report: Door-to-door sales – consumer attitudes
The Consumer Action Law Centre recently commissioned research into consumer attitudes toward door-to-door selling. Key findings are: 77% dislike door-to-door sales Only 3% have a generally positive...
Submission: Unfair terms in insurance contract (Treasury)
Submission to the latest round of Federal Government consultation on unfair terms in insurance contracts. To read our submission, please click here: Unfair terms in Insurance contract...