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Turnbull’s energy policy won’t stop energy retailers from price gouging, but a Basic Service Offer will

Gerard Brody, CEO - Consumer Action Law Centre This week it was reported that energy bills for an average Victorian household have skyrocketed to a shocking $3,655 a year. The ACCC confirms tha...

Essential Services Commission releases new Payment Difficulty Framework

The new Payment Difficulty Framework will challenge energy retailers in Victoria to improve how they deal with customers in financial difficulty, and has the potential to reduce disconnections when it...

Submission in response to National Energy Retail Amendment (Notification of the end of a fixed benefit period) Rule 2017 Rule Change Consultation Paper

The strategies involved in the proposed Rule Change, and in previous work outlined in the Commission’s consultation paper, reflect policymakers’ continued pursuit of trying to improve the effectivenes...

Litigation Funding and Group Proceedings: Consultation Paper

Consumer Action Law Centre welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s Consultation Paper on Litigation Funding and Group Proceedings. This is an important and broad...

Inquiry into the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cashless Debit Card) Bill 2017: Submission

Consumer Action joins with FamilyCare Shepparton to make this submission. Shepparton is the only Victorian community that is currently subject to income management, a policy similar to the Cashless De...

Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Consumers First—Establishment of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) Bill 2017

Consumer advocates are very supportive of the move to a one-stop shop external dispute resolution (EDR) scheme that implements the considered recommendations of the Review of the Financial System Exte...

Fix my car! Our one-year wait for proper dispute resolution for cars

One year ago today, the Access to Justice review was released by the Victorian Government. The review proposed a sensible fix for the thousands of Victorians who buy lemon cars each year. To mark...

Submission: Open Banking Review

Consumer Action Law Centre, Financial Rights Legal Centre and Financial Counselling Australia are pleased to make this submission in response to the Open Banking Review Issues Paper. We acknowledge t...

Submission: Inquiry into Competition in the Australian Financial System

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action), Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) and the Financial Rights Legal Centre (Financial Rights) have welcomed the Productivity Commission’s review of c...

Submission: New Car Retailing Industry ACCC Draft Report

Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) is pleased to make this submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) new car retail industry market study draft report (the Draf...

Proposed changes to TIO Terms of Reference

ACCAN and Consumer Action Law Centre made a joint submission to the consultation on proposed changes to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) terms of reference. We are pleased that the TIO...

Response to Retirement Housing Inquiry fails to provide access to justice

After six months of waiting, the Victorian Government has responded to the Inquiry into the Retirement Housing Sector, conducted by the Victorian Legislative Council. The Victorian Government’s re...

Consumer Action Strategic Plan 2017-2021

We use our skills in the law, financial counselling, policy and campaigning to make consumer markets fair. We do this by: Assisting and empowering people – by advising them about their rights, connec...

Review of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Review of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (NVETR Act). Consumer Action ha...

Consumer Action Law Centre responds to meeting of Australian Ministers of Consumer Affairs

Consumer Action Law Centre responds to today's meeting of Australian Ministers of Consumer Affairs: On Debt Vultures Consumer Affairs Ministers acknowledged that addressing the conduct o...

Submission: Credit card reform exposure draft legislation

The Consumer Action Law Centre is pleased to comment on the exposure draft Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 8) Bill 2017: Credit card reforms (the Bill) and National Consumer Credit Protecti...

Submission: Comment: Towards a transparent public reporting regime for life insurance claims information

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Discussion Paper Towards a transparent public reporting regime for life insurance claims information, outlining the options and issues involved in the n...

Submission: Comment on ASIC CP 284: Example statement of advice for life insurance—Update to RG 90

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on ASIC’s draft Regulatory Guide 90: Example statement of advice: Scaled advice for new customer and Consultation Paper 284. We appreciate the complex and exte...

Submission: APRA powers for non-ADI lenders

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) and CHOICE have made a joint submission on the draft Treasury Laws Amendment (Non-ADI Lender Rules) Bill 2017 (the draft Bill). We support the proposa...

Another day, another multi-million dollar junk insurance pay back

Consumer Action Law Centre says today’s announcement from ASIC that CommBank will refund $10 million to people who were mis-sold consumer credit insurance (CCI), after QBE agreed to pay back $16 milli...

Proposal to re-regulate energy prices confirms Victorians have been gouged for too long

Victorian energy retailers would be required to provide a new 'basic service offer' at a price that will be regulated by the Essential Services Commission, if a proposal by the independent review led...

Federal Court judgment against property spruiker shows ‘rent-to-buy’ is a sham

Consumer Action Law Centre says today’s Federal Court ruling that property spruiker Rick Otton misled and deceived hopeful property entrepreneurs shows that so-called ‘rent-to-buy’ schemes are a compl...

Best opportunity for fair insurance in years

Industry, Government and advocates have one of the best opportunities in years to make insurance fair, according to Consumer Action Law Centre. A Senate committee has recommended a major shake up t...

Prime Minister, you’ve talked to the energy retailers, now talk to those that pay the bill

Gerard Brody, Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull summoned the chief executives of the nation’s largest power companies to Canberra today, insisting they provide reli...

Submission: Banking Executive Accountability Regime

Consumer Action Law Centre has supported CHOICE's submission on the proposed Banking Executive Accountability Regime. We strongly welcome the intent of these reforms. The community rightly expects tha...

Comment on ASIC proposed ban on flex-commissions

Thank you for the opportunity to make additional comments on the proposed ASIC Credit (Flexible Credit Cost Arrangements) Instrument banning flex-commissions. Consumer Action supports this proposal. I...

Submission: Data Governance Australia Draft Code of Practice

The collection, use and management of data by companies is of significant and growing interest for consumer advocates. We welcome industry efforts to better protect and promote the rights of people wh...

Car yard insurance sham exposed – how Australians can get money back

The game is up for car yards and insurance companies who’ve been ripping Australians off, according to Consumer Action Law Centre. Following the corporate watchdog ASIC's announcement today that in...

Submission: Internal Dispute Resolution in Retirement Villages

We welcome Consumer Affairs Victoria’s interest in improving internal dispute resolution processes in retirement villages, and believe that the reforms suggested will likely result in some improvement...

Submission: Black Economy Taskforce Interim Report

Contributors to this submission have supported and represented thousands of consumers over many years. We support the overall intention of the Taskforce, which is to develop an ‘innovative, forward-lo...

Junk insurance days are numbered: Consumer Advocates

Following multi-billion dollar scandals in the UK and exposure of similar problems in Australia, the sale of Consumer Credit Insurance (CCI) products in Australia is finally being tackled by industry...

Consumer Action responds: Consumer Ministers set to consider retirement villages

Consumer Affairs Ministers are set to discuss the state of retirement village regulation across Australia at the end of August. Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Gerard Brody welcomed the news, saying th...

EDR Review Supplementary Issues Paper – Last resort compensation for victims of financial misconduct

A series of financial scandals have left many Australians out of pocket and in some cases, resulted in the loss of the family home or a secure retirement. Scandals have not just occurred in relation t...

How the National Debt Helpline is stopping bullies and giving hope

Elizabeth Minter As a journalist, I've had my share of vicarious experience of the shadowy side of life: sign up for a courts round covering criminal cases and you soon realise how lucky you ar...

Submission to ACCC inquiry into retail electricity supply and pricing Issues Paper

Electricity has traditionally been a regulated essential service that occupied a stable portion of Australian consumers' living expenses. Until relatively recently, they have not had to exert time or...

Four Corners – ‘Bleed Them Dry Until They Die’

Tonight, Consumer Action features in the ABC TV Four Corners special 'Bleed Them Dry Until They Die' - an important investigation into retirement living in Australia led by Adele Ferguson. Follow our...

EDR Review – Treasury Laws Amendment (External Dispute Resolution) Bill and Regulations 2017 exposure draft

Consumer advocates welcome the move to a one-stop shop external dispute resolution (EDR) scheme for all disputes in the financial system. Read the full submission here [PDF]...

Consumer Action supports removal of Limited Merits Review

In response to the Federal Government’s announcement of several reforms in the energy market on 20 June 2017: Announcement that the Federal Government will remove Limited Merits Review (LMR) by leg...

Fairer Centrelink debt collection practices recommended

Fairer debt collection practices recommended by a Senate Committee Inquiry into the “Better Management of the Social Welfare System Initiative” recognise that Centrelink should be required to comply w...

Submission: AEMC Governance Amendment Bill 2017

Consumer Action was one of a number consumer advocacy groups that made a joint submission to the Review of Governance Arrangements for Australian Energy Markets recommending the Energy Council underta...

Submission: ESC’s Payment Difficulty Framework Draft Decision

Consumer Action and the Financial and Consumer Rights Council welcome the opportunity to comment on the Essential Services ESC Victoria’s (ESC) new draft decision for its Payment Difficulties Framewor...

Junk warranties: Your time is up

Consumer Action Law Centre says a class action to be launched against Australia’s biggest extended car warranty company shows rubbish warranties have had their day. International law firm Quinn Ema...

Victoria Legal Aid, Means Test Review, Options Paper – submission

Consumer Action has made a submission to the Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) Means Test Review. The submission strongly supports the introduction of a public interest exemption to the VLA means test. To be...

Future of Financial Advice – Post Implementation Review submission

The Consumer Action Law Centre is pleased to provide a submission in response to the Consultation Paper prepared as part of the Post Implementation Review of the Future of Financial Advice reforms....

Consumer Action responds to Finkel

In response to the release of the Independent Review of the Future Security of the National Energy Market (the Finkel Blueprint), Consumer Action Law Centre makes the following comments: Recommenda...

Submission on AEMC’s rule change process guidance

Our analysis of the problems faced as a consumer group seeking to change the NERR, and our recommendations to make the process more transparent and less onerous for proponents, are extensively detaile...

People who help people

'People who help people' provides practical steps consumer advocates and financial counsellors can take to demonstrate their impact and better influence public debate. Consumer advocates and financ...

Refunds for Motor Finance Wizard customers

Consumer Action Law Centre has applauded the corporate regulator for securing an enforceable undertaking (EU) against second-hand car financier Motor Finance Wizard (MFW). The EU will see the problem...

Fair justice for Victorians going to VCAT a step closer

The Victorian and Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) should be easier and fairer for Victorians following the announcement of new funding and changes to modernise the tribunal. “Victoria is a...

Submission: ASIC Financial Services Panel

The Consumer Action Law Centre is pleased to provide a submission in response to Consultation Paper 281 regarding the proposal to establish a Financial Services Panel (the Panel). Given the apparent...

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