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...
AEMC review of regulatory arrangements for embedded networks
SACOSS and the signatories consider that the existing framework has provided a high degree of flexibility and competition in products and services for embedded networks which has led to some valuable...
Submission: Estate agents and conveyancers options for reform
Consumer Action Law Centre welcomes the opportunity to provide comment on the Consumer Property Law Review’s Options Paper on estate agents and conveyancers. Read the full submission here [PDF]....
Submission: Emergency Services Levy Insurance Monitor public inquiry into prohibited conduct in the insurance industry
We were asked to provide feedback on questions 4, 5, 7 and 11 in the ESLIM’s Public Inquiry Issues Paper. We have also responded to question 9 on competition drivers, and briefly commented on our insu...
Protected: The Do Not Knock movement grows
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Budget 2017: Increased financial penalties for breach of the Australian Consumer Law
As part of the budget, the Federal Government has proposed increasing penalties for breach of the Australian Consumer Law. “Increasing maximum penalties will help to ensure that fines for breaking...
Budget 2017: New bank levy shouldn’t be passed on to consumers
The Federal Budget proposes to raise $6.2m over four years through a new levy on banks. “This new levy should not be pushed onto bank customers,” said Gerard Brody, CEO of Consumer Action Law Centr...
Budget 2017: New Australian Financial Complaints Authority
The new 'one-stop shop' financial complaints authority announced in the Federal Budget will help Australians get free, fair and fast dispute resolution against financial institutions. "Australians...