Submission: Single pricing legislation – proposal to exempt restaurants and cafes

On 7 May 2012, the Hon. Michael O'Brien MP and the Hon. Anthony Roberts MP wrote to Consumer Action inviting it to comment on the proposal to exempt restaurants and cafes from national single pricing...

June 12, 2012

Submission: Response to Commonwealth Government discussion paper on reducing reliance on payday lending

This submission: Expresses significant concerns with the way the payday lending problem is framed in the discussion paper. In particular, we do not agree that high-cost short-term lending is a neces...

June 12, 2012

Submission: Review of the Limited Merits Review Consultation Paper Two

Consumer Action’s response to the Review of Limited Merits Review Regime's Consultation Paper 2, Additional Statement of Issues and Questions. To read our submission please click here: Submission to...

June 1, 2012

Submission: Inquiry into the post-GFC banking sector

This submission makes the following brief points: that the development of an independent measure of the cost of bank funding (including offshore wholesale funding, and deposits), regularly reported...

June 1, 2012

Submission: Inquiry into the post-GFC banking sector

Rather than responding to each point of the Committee's terms of reference, this submission makes the following brief points: that the development of an independent measure of the cost of bank fundi...

May 31, 2012

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 15, 2012

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...

May 9, 2012

Joint submission: Consumer protections for users of payday loans

The following is a joint submission in response to Treasury's April 2012 discussion paper on proposed reforms to Small Amount Credit Contracts. This submission has been prepared by Consumer Action La...

May 9, 2012

Submission: Australian Energy Market Commission, Market Review, Power of Choice (Stage 3 DSP Review)

This review is about 'enabling consumers to make informed choices about the way they use electricity can help achieve efficient investment'. Consumer Action agrees that there are opportunities to impr...

May 7, 2012

Submission: Australian Energy Market Commission’s Economic Regulation of Energy Networks Rule Change, Directions Paper

This submission responds to the Directions Paper released by the Australian Energy Market Commission's on a National Energy and Gas Rule change proposal relating to the economic regulation of networks...

April 16, 2012

Submission: review of limited merits review consultation paper one

This submission responds to the Initial Discussion Paper of the Expert Panel reviewing the Limited Merits Review regime for energy regulatory decisions. Read our submission click: Initial submission...

April 14, 2012

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...

March 19, 2012

Submission: Gift Cards in the Australian Market

We’ve made a submission to the Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council (CCAAC) in response to its Issues Paper, Gift Cards in the Australian Market. We’ve argued that consumers should be better...

March 13, 2012

Submission: Review of Debt Agreements Under the Bankruptcy Act 1966

Consumer Action has provided a submission to this review of debt agreements undertaken by the Attorney-General's Department. The submission: argues for a minimum income threshold to access debt agre...

September 2, 2011

Submission: Australian Energy Market Commission’s Power of Choice Review, Issues Paper

This submission responds to the Issues Paper released by the Australian Energy Market Commission on its demand side participation (stage 3) review, dubbed 'Power of Choice'. Read our submission click...

August 30, 2011

Submission: Taxi industry inquiry – complaints handling and dispute resolution

In this submission, Consumer Action responds to only one of the questions in the consultation paper - that is, ‘do the Victorian Taxi Directorate and taxi booking networks have adequate policies and p...

June 24, 2011

Submission: Advanced metering infrastructure program – Issues paper for public consultation

Consumer Action welcomes the new Government's attempt to understand and address some of the underlying consumer concerns with the mandated rollout of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) or smart me...

June 21, 2011

Joint submission: Reforming flood insurance – clearing the waters discussion paper

The following is a joint consumer submission in response to the Clearing the Waters discussion paper released by the Australian Government on 5 April 2011. The Brotherhood of St Laurence, Choice, Cons...

May 13, 2011

Joint submission: Reforming Flood Insurance – Clearing the Waters discussion paper

Consumer Action has contributed to a joint consumer submission in response to the Clearing the Waters discussion paper (the discussion paper) released by the Australian Government on 5 April 2011. The...

May 13, 2011

Submission to Productivity Commission Inquiry on Network Regulation

Consumer Action welcomes the Productivity Commission’s investigation into benchmarking as a means of achieving more efficient delivery of network services and electricity infrastructure. Benchmarking...

April 17, 2011

Submission: Reserve Bank of Australia – Treasury ATM Taskforce consultations

Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the RBA-Treasury ATM Taskforce's report on the March 2009 ATM reforms. The March 2009 reforms can be considered a broad success, both because...

April 15, 2011

Submission: National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment Regulations 2011 – exposure draft

Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to comment on the exposure draft of the National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment Regulations 2011, setting out the proposed amendment to ban exit fees on...

February 25, 2011

Submission: Exposure Draft – National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment Regulations 2011

Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to comment on the exposure draft of the National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment Regulations 2011, setting out the proposed amendment to ban exit fees on...

February 25, 2011

Submission: “Reconnecting the Customer”- ACMA public inquiry consultation paper

Customer service is extremely poor in the Australian telecommunications industry, and has been for many years. Misleading advertising, unfair contract terms and deceptive sales practices are so common...

September 16, 2010

Submission: Australian Energy Regulator’s Victorian Draft Distribution Determination 2011- 2015

Consumer Action strongly supports the Draft Decision and the level of scrutiny the AER has applied to the Distribution Network Service Providers' regulatory proposals. We continue to have some concern...

August 19, 2010

Joint submission: National Legal Profession Reform

This submission considers the proposed regulation from the viewpoint of individual, small business and community organisations as clients. This is a once in a generation opportunity for significant r...

August 13, 2010

Submission: Unfair terms in insurance contracts – options paper

Consumer Action thanks the Government for seeking stakeholder input on addressing unfair terms in insurance contracts, facilitated by the publication of the Unfair terms in insurance contracts - Optio...

May 7, 2010

Submission: Financial Services Working Group – Corporations Amendment Regulations 2009

Consumer Action is a strong supporter of the objectives of the Financial Services Working Group in endeavouring to make financial services product disclosure simpler and more meaningful for consumers,...

March 5, 2010

Submission: Exposure draft – Review of initial distribution network service providers’ proposals for the 2011 – 2015 regulatory period.

Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Australian Energy Regulator's review of initial Distribution Network Service Providers' Proposals for the 2011 - 2015 Regulatory Pe...

February 16, 2010

Submission: Action against fraudulent phoenix activity – Commonwealth Government proposals paper

Whilst Consumer Action generally agrees with the proposition in the Proposals Paper – that the underlying distinction between illegitimate, or phoenix activity and a legitimate use of the corporate fo...

January 18, 2010

Submission: Response to the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission’s Fire Services Levy and Insurance Discussion Paper

We welcome the opportunity to provide comment to the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission in response to its Discussion Paper on the fire services levy and insurance. This submission is made joi...

December 21, 2009

Submission: Unconscionable Conduct Issues Paper

Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to provide comment to the inquiry process established by the Government to examine options for clarifying the unconscionable conduct provisions of the Trade Pr...

December 21, 2009

Submission: Review of Victoria’s wrongful disconnection payment

Consumer Action remains strongly supportive of the Victorian wrongful disconnection payment legislative obligation. It continues to fulfill its role as an incentive on retailers to guard against non-c...

November 4, 2009

Submission: Inquiry into State Government Taxation and Debt

Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee‘s Inquiry into State Government Taxation and Debt. The Inquiry terms of referenc...

October 30, 2009

Submission: CCAAC Consumer rights – statutory implied conditions and warranties issues paper

Consumer Action supports national harmonisation and clarification of Australia’s laws on statutory conditions and warranties, so long as harmonisation does not weaken protections for consumers. Howev...

September 18, 2009

Submission: National Human Rights Consultation

We welcome the opportunity to provide these comments on the National Human Rights Consultation to the Australian Government. We further commend the government on its action to ensure this important is...

June 15, 2009

Submission: Australian Consumer Law – draft unfair contract terms provisions

Consumer Action strongly supports national unfair contract terms regulation. We consider that the draft legislation in the Paper largely reflects the policy intent previously communicated by the Minis...

May 22, 2009

Joint submission: Metropolitan Melbourne Water Price Review 2008-09 – draft decision

This submission is put forward by the Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre Ltd and the Consumer Action Law Centre in response to the Draft Decision released by the Victorian Essential Services Commissio...

May 1, 2009

Submission: Crime Amendment (identity crime) Bill 2008 – exposure draft

Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Victorian Government’s exposure draft – Crime Amendment (Identity Crime) Bill 2008. We support the Bill’s proposals to provide for new and c...

February 10, 2009

Submission: Access Regime for the ATM System

Consumer Action supports the RBA’s efforts to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of payments systems in Australia, including the ATM system. As the Consultation notes, interchange fee amounts...

February 4, 2009

Submission: Trade Practices – Unconscionable Conduct

Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission to the Senate Economics Committee’s Inquiry into the need to develop a clear statutory definition of unconscionable conduct for the...

October 24, 2008

Joint submission: Review of the Code of Banking Practice 2007-2008

CHOICE and Consumer Action support and endorse the joint consumer submission to the Review of the Code of Banking Practice. This submission concentrates on the issue of bank penalty fees in more detai...

July 31, 2008

Submission: Inquiry into competition in the banking and non-banking sectors

Consumer Action is pleased to make a submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics inquiry into competition in the banking and non-banking sectors. Our submission conside...

July 18, 2008

Submission: Review of trustee remuneration

As detailed in this submission, we support many of the amendments to the framework for trustee remuneration proposed by the paper. However, we are concerned that the tenor of the paper is primarily de...

July 8, 2008

Submission: Inquiry into the Unit Pricing (Easy comparison of grocery prices) Bill 2008

Consumer Action welcomes opportunity to provide this submission to the Senate Economics Committee’s Inquiry into the Unit Pricing (Easy comparison of grocery prices) Bill 2008. In summary, our reco...

July 7, 2008

Submission: Financial Services and Credit Reform Green Paper

Consumer Action strongly supports Option 2 proposed on page 12 of the Green Paper, where the Commonwealth Government would assume responsibility, not only for mortgage credit and advice, but also for...

July 1, 2008

Submission: Financial Services and Credit Reform Green Paper

Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to provide comment on the Financial Services and Credit Reform Green Paper, released by the Australian Government Treasury on 3 June 2008. Consumer Action s...

July 1, 2008

Submission: Reform of Australia’s payments system

Consumer Action is supportive of the approach by the Reserve Bank of Australia to the electronic payments system and we welcome the pragmatism of the RBA in stepping in and regulating interchange fees...

June 30, 2008

Submission: Inquiry into Australia’s Mandatory Last Resort Home Warranty Insurance Schemes

Consumer Action welcomes the Senate Economics Committee Inquiry into Australia’s Mandatory Last Resort Home Building Warranty Insurance (HBWI) schemes. We have long been concerned that the mandatory H...

April 16, 2008

Submission: Discussion paper 72: review of Australian privacy law

Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to comment on the above Paper prepared by the Australian Law Reform Commission. Our submission focuses on some key credit reporting issues as well as some gene...

December 21, 2007