News - Consumer Action Law Centre

Still too many Victorians choosing between heat or eat – response to EWOV annual report: Consumer Action

Consumer Action Law Centre welcomes the significant drop in complaints to the Energy and Water Ombudsman (EWOV), but says there are still too many Victorians struggling with utilities. “It’s welcom...

Submission to the Energy Hardship Inquiry Draft Report

Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) welcomes the opportunity to provide input into the Essential Services Commission's (the Commission) Inquiry into the financial hardship arrangements of ene...

A weaker ASIC helps no one: consumer groups

A proposed funding model for corporate regulator ASIC has come under fire by consumer groups who say the model could lead to a weaker and less effective regulator. In a submission to Treasury, the...

Proposed industry funding model for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission: Joint Submission

We welcome the opportunity to comment on Treasury’s consultation paper proposing an industry funding model for ASIC (the consultation paper). The following is a joint submission prepared by the above...

Unable to open the letterbox – money and mental health

Money is a major cause of distress for many Australians and for some Australians with mental health problems, there are times when being financially responsible for yourself simply isn’t possible. Man...

‘Lemon’ laws – An inquiry into consumer protections and remedies for buyers of new motor vehicles

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the need to improve the consumer protections and remedies for buyers of ‘lemon’ motor vehicles. We strongly sup...

October 2015

Read, watch and listen to media featuring Consumer Action from October 2015. Consumer groups call for overhaul of power market controls https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://www....

Evaluating Consumer Action’s consumer legal advice service

Consumer Action uses various strategies to improve the lives of Victorian consumers and advance fairness in the marketplace, including undertaking public interest litigation, publishing legal informat...

Used car warranties: Christian’s story

Christian (name changed) bought a second hand car in late 2014. He had had gearbox trouble with a previous car which cost him a lot of money, so when he noticed advertising for National Warranty Compa...

Energy disconnections: Rod’s story

When his electricity was disconnected in late 2014, Rod lived with his wife and four of his seven children in Melbourne’s north. The disconnection lasted four days. Rod says the automatic payments he’...

A complex market needs simple dispute resolution – On The Wire

In this month's On The Wire we're calling for simple dispute resolution in the energy market... Dispute resolution must be consistent, regardless of where a consumer’s energy supply comes from, who it...

Energy disconnections: Lyn’s story

Lyn is 58 years old. She lives with her daughter in Melbourne’s north, and they have experienced several energy disconnections. Lyn is a survivor of domestic violence, and her financial problems stem...

We’re hiring – Senior Policy Officer – Vendor Terms

We are undertaking an exciting project with the aim to bring up to date current consumer sector knowledge of unconventional home sales arrangements known as “Rent to Buy” or “vendor terms” for sellers...

Cash Converters taken to court after reforms fail to protect vulnerable

Payday lending reforms from 2013 have failed vulnerable Australians according to Consumer Action Law Centre, as they take Cash Converters to court on behalf of a disability support pensioner over a ca...

Energy disconnections: Sarah’s story

Sarah is a writer in her forties. She lives by herself in an inner Melbourne apartment, which she rents privately. With a tertiary degree and regular work, Sarah had always been able to manage her fin...

Solving Energy Bill Disputes – Studio 10

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06LFC6jclIM] Denise Boyd speaks with Studio 10 about energy bill disputes....

Taking action against a credit repair company

There are easy options for seeking a refund or compensation from a credit repair company. Many Victorians have experienced problems with credit repair companies. If you are one of these people, and yo...

Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs Inquiry into the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015. Read our full submission here [PDF]....

Response to The Age – ‘Vocational education, the biggest get-rich quick scheme in Australia’

Katherine Temple - Senior Policy Officer in response to 'Vocational education, the biggest get-rich quick scheme in Australia' (The Age, 17/09/2015) We are shocked and dismayed by the story in The Ag...

Submission to Northern Australia Insurance Premiums Taskforce Interim Report

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Northern Australia Insurance Premiums Taskforce Interim Report. Read the full submission here [PDF]...

ASIC report highlights exorbitant costs of rent-to-buy household goods: Consumer groups

The poorest and most vulnerable Australians are paying grossly inflated prices for household goods via “rent-to-buy” or “consumer lease” deals, as shown by a new report from the Australian Securities...

Rent-to-buy products must be kicked off Centrepay

Leading consumer groups are calling for the Australian Parliament to support moves by the Senate to protect the integrity of Centrelink’s budgeting tool for essentials, Centrepay, by excluding rent-to...

Energy disconnections: Emira’s story

Emira lives in public housing in regional Victoria with her young son, Jack. At 27, she has faced significant challenges in her life: she left a violent family home at 14, and has since found herself...

AEMC Multiple Trading Relationships Consultation Paper

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) welcomes the opportunity to provide input into the AEMC's consultation paper on Multiple Tradition Relationships (MTR) in the National Electricity Mark...

September 2015

Read, watch and listen to media featuring Consumer Action from September 2015. Mental glitch that's making us spend https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://www.news.com.au/financ...

Energy disconnections: Julie’s story

Julie is 48 years old and lives alone in a public housing unit. In the past Julie has struggled with alcohol addiction, and has recently escaped a violent partner. She suffers from post-traumatic stre...

Response to “Making Energy Bills Fairer For Families” – Minister for Energy, Lily D’Ambrosio

Quotes attributable to Janine Rayner, Senior Policy Officer - Consumer Action Law Centre in response to Victorian Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio's announcement "Making Energy Bills Fairer For Familie...

Energy disconnections: Karen’s story

Karen is a single mother of four children living in public housing. Her gas and electricity were disconnected for about a week in October 2014. At that time Karen was a victim of domestic violence. He...

The energy market is failing struggling Victorians

Victoria’s energy market is failing our most vulnerable people, according to Consumer Action Law Centre. With the release of the Essential Services Commission’s Energy Hardship Inquiry Draft Report to...

August 2015

Finance: Personal Debt https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://blogs.abc.net.au/victoria/2015/08/finance-personal-debt.html&ct=ga&cd=CAIyHTkyNDA4NmMwOGZiNTEzMDE6Y29tLmF1OmVuOk...

July 2015

Complaints about power bills jump https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/complaints-about-power-bills-jump/2692753/&ct=ga&cd=CAIyHTkyNDA4NmMwOGZ...

How do I claim a refund for a used car warranty?

Are you unhappy with a used car warranty you bought? Read the following to complain and ask for a refund. Step one: Download our template letter here (Microsoft Word document) It will be useful to h...

I’ve complained about a used car warranty – what do I do next?

What to do next... See what they say If you are unhappy with the warranty provider's response or if the warranty provider does not respond within 45 days, lodge a complaint. Just because they sa...

Submission to Review of Governance Arrangements for Australian Energy Markets Draft Paper

Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the Review of Governance Arrangements for Australian Energy Markets Draft Paper (the Draft Paper). Download t...

The real stories of Victorians forced to choose to heat, or eat

Victorians have shared their stories of energy disconnection as part of research by RMIT for Consumer Action Law Centre’s ‘Heat or Eat’ report released today. The report details six unique stories...

Who do I complain to about a private college or education provider?

Do you have a problem with a private college or education provider? Below explains who to go to depending on your circumstances. The role of regulators If you have a complaint about a Registered Tra...

HAAG Submission – Residential Tenancies Act Review

Housing for the Aged Action Group's (HAAG) submission to the Residential Tenancies Act Review dated 17 August 2015 identified a number of key areas of concern for older residents living in Independent...

Revised Inspector-General Practice Guideline 1: Submission

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action), Financial Rights Legal Centre (Financial Rights) and Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) welcome the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes...

Don’t make the poor pay more: Consumer Action

Today, ALP Senator Doug Cameron will be leading debate on a Bill to exclude consumer lease products from Centrelink's welfare budgeting tool Centrepay. What are 'consumer leases'? A consumer le...

Modernising Victoria’s Energy Licence Framework and General Exemptions Order: Submission

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) and Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) welcome the opportunity to provide input to the Essential Services Commission (ESC) and the Department...

Australian Retail Credit Association Authorisation A91482 – draft determination – Submission

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action), Financial Rights Legal Centre (Financial Rights) and Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) welcome the opportunity to make a submission in response to...

“Almost completely worthless” – used car warranties catching out countless Australians

Bought a second hand car? There’s a good chance you’ve been offered an extended warranty. A Consumer Action investigation has found that warranty providers can avoid paying many if not most claims pur...

Matters relating to credit card interest rates – Senate Standing Committees on Economics

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) and the Financial Rights Legal Centre (Financial Rights) welcome the opportunity to provide a submission to the inquiry into credit card interest rates...

VET Funding Review – Issues Paper Submission

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) welcomes the opportunity to comment on consultation questions on the future directions outlined in the VET Funding Review Issues Paper. Download our f...

Review is opportunity to improve protections for payday loan and rent-to-buy borrowers

Payday lending and rent-to-buy products are often a source of financial distress and hardship according to Consumer Action Law Centre. The centre welcomes the Federal Government's announcement that it...

Submission on Amendments to the AER Retail Pricing Information Guidelines

Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) is pleased to provide further input into the Australian Energy Regulator's (AER) Amendments to the AER Retail Pricing Information Guidelines V4.0, specific...

Housing Decisions of Older Australians

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action), Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG), Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria (RRVV) and Council on the Ageing Victoria (COTA Vic) welcome the o...

Residential Tenancies Act Review – Consultation Paper

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the consultation paper for the Residential Tenancies Act Review (the Review). Download our full submission here...

ALP National Conference: Labor needs to take a stand on payday loans.

Where the poorest pay the most - our session at #ALPConf2015 Fringe #auspol — Consumer Action (@consumer_action) July 26, 2015 Today, at an ALP National Conference fringe event, Consumer Actio...

Private VET providers: Supplementary submission

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) welcomes the opportunity to provide a supplementary submission on the operation, regulation and funding of private vocational education and training (V...

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