How to avoid a credit card debt disaster

Did you know that Australians owe over $50 billion (and rising) on their credit cards? Here are some tips from Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Gerard Brody on how we can stop Australians’ love of credi...
March 16, 2017

Public statement – Veda and Consumer Action Law Centre

Veda and the Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) have agreed upon a conciliated resolution to the representative complaint lodged by Consumer Action with the Office of the Australian Informat...
February 16, 2017

Retail Remuneration Review – Issues Paper

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action), is pleased to provide a submission in response to the Retail Remuneration Review Issues Paper (Issues Paper). As stated in our joint response to th...
February 14, 2017

EDR Review – Interim Report

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Review of the Financial System Dispute Resolution Framework – Interim Report (Interim Report). This joint submission was coordinated by Consumer Action...
February 3, 2017

BMW Finance – you could get compensation

The Australian Securities Investment Commission (ASIC) recently took action against BMW Australia Finance (BMW Finance) for signing up customers to car loans they could not afford between 1 January 20...
February 3, 2017

Why we are willing to pay for mega expensive things

Paul Harrison, Deakin University It may not seem logical or good value for money, but there are plenty of us that will fork out for expensive presents this Christmas. Maybe it will be close to A$3,...
December 19, 2016

Veda to refund consumers after breaching privacy rules

Veda Advantage Information Services and Solutions Ltd (Veda) is being forced to refund thousands of consumers who paid to obtain credit reports under Veda’s expedited delivery deal, according to a dec...
December 15, 2016

Australian Consumer Law Review: Interim Report

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Australian Consumer Law Review—Interim Report (Interim Report). While we are engaged with the process, we...
December 13, 2016

Time to abolish unfair energy appeals

At their meeting in Melbourne this week, Energy Ministers from around the country will consider an issue that has the potential to save households and businesses hundreds of millions of dollars each y...
December 7, 2016

Submission: Life insurance industry inquiry

This submission will focus on issues seen in Consumer Action’s casework and policy work, including life insurance contract terms which could be ‘unfair’, an assessment industry self regulation and p...
December 2, 2016

Power price shock – fake discounts gouge Victorians

Energy price rises announced today will hit Victorians hard as the Consumer Action Law Centre warns energy companies to remember that their product is an essential service. "Over 60,000 Victorians...
December 1, 2016

Cooling-off periods for consumers don’t work: study

Paul Harrison, Deakin University When customers are offered a “cooling off” period, they don’t change their minds, even when the alternative is considered subjectively better, our research finds. W...
November 29, 2016

Payday lending reform will make people’s lives better

Consumer advocates say that the Government’s response to a recent review of payday lending and consumer leases laws is a good start and can go further to support Australians who are struggling to make...
November 28, 2016

Cooling off doesn’t work: New research

Australians have been told for decades that “cooling off” periods will protect them from predatory salespeople, but new research shows dodgy salespeople still have the upper hand. Dr Paul Harrison,...
November 24, 2016

iTutor Learning Systems

Consumer Action has assisted a Somali woman to file a complaint relating to education software, iTutor Learning Systems. The software was sold to the woman in her home by a salesperson representing Vi...
November 22, 2016

Transition to Metering Competition in Victoria

The Alternative Technology Association (ATA), Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action), and Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre (CUAC) welcome the opportunity to respond to the Energy Policy and Pr...
November 22, 2016

Codes of Conduct for Registered Building Practitioners

Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Victorian Building Authority’s (VBA) Draft Codes of Conduct Protocol (the Draft Protocol). The Draft Protocol has been designed to assist bui...
November 22, 2016

Parliamentary Inquiry into the Retirement Housing Sector

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) is pleased to contribute to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Retirement Housing, which we believes speaks to a real and urgent need for more effective re...
November 16, 2016

Second-hand cars: No warranty? No worries

Victorians have been handed a huge win after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) confirmed that a car dealer can still be responsible for problems with a faulty car even where there...
November 11, 2016