October 2014
Power companies given ‘green light’ to bait and switch, consumer advocates say news.com.au, 24 October 2014, Frank Chung Retailers forced to be upfront about rising electricity prices Canberra Ti...
Submission: Retailer Price Variations in Market Retail Contracts
Consumer Action and Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre have made a supplementary submission on the Australian Energy Market Commission's Draft Rule Determination: Retailer Price Variations in Market...
Media release: Competition Policy Review Draft Report welcomed, but panellists urged to consider consumer experience and protection
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the Competition Policy Review Draft Report and its emphasis ‘on protecting competition and not competitors.’ But Consumer Action will be asking the review’s pan...
Submission: AEMC Rule Change on Customer Access to Information about their Energy Consumption
As in Consumer Action's previous submission to the consultation paper, we agree with the premise of the rule change that 'in practice it is difficult for customers to access their data from market par...
Submission: The Forrest Review and the Healthy Welfare Card
Consumer Choice We have concerns that forcing welfare recipients to receive and spend their benefits on a certain card will adversely affect their consumer choice. By limiting their ability to pay wit...
Submission: Senate Standing Committees on Economics – Corporations Amendment (Streamlining of Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2014
The Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Corporations Amendment (Streamlining of Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2014 (the Bill). We generally do not support the amendment Bill...
Submission: Financial System Inquiry – Improving Consumer Disclosure
The Financial System Inquiry Interim Report notes that the current disclosure regime for retail financial products and services is not always effective in meeting its objective. It produces complex an...
Media release: Stitched up by two traders in the one deal – Foton Dandenong & All Loans R Us in the spotlight
After a protracted legal battle, car dealer Foton Dandenong has been found to have broken the Australian Consumer Law by selling a defective car. An associated company, All Loans R Us financed the pur...
Submission: National Energy Retail Amendment (Retailer price variations in market retail contracts) Rule 2014 Draft Determination
Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre (CUAC) and Consumer Action are pleased that the Australian Energy Market Commission – and other bodies, such as the Australian Energy Regulator, Energy Retailers Ass...
Consumer Action welcomes Victorian Labor’s plan to strengthen Essential Services Commission
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed Victorian Labor’s new energy policy which would increase the powers the Essential Services Commission (ESC) and put consumers ‘front and centre’ of the Commissi...
Consumer alert – Complaints about Malouf Group Enterprises
Originally posted September 4, 2014 Consumer Action Law Centre has received a number of complaints about Malouf Group Enterprises – a ‘credit repair’ company that a number of consumers have turned...
September 2014
Dangerous waterslide and parking fees add to woes at Frankston’s Peninsula Aquatic and Recreation Centre Frankston Standard Leader, 29 September 2014, Christian Tatman Queensland Government-owned...
Federal Court delivers damning finding for payday lender
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed a Federal Court ruling that The Cash Store and Assistive Finance Australia Pty Ltd broke consumer credit laws and engaged in unconscionable conduct. The Cour...
Submission: Senate Inquiry into the extent of income inequality in Australia
Consumer Action has provided comment on the extent of, and impact of, income inequality in Australia. We are concerned by the signals of distress from the most vulnerable in our community and their i...
Submission: Financial System Inquiry Interim Report
Consumer Action welcomed the panel's interim report, particularly that fairness, as much as stability and efficiency, are important objectives for the financial system. We strongly support the panel's...
Money Smart Week 2014: Time for a money health check
If you could earn yourself $20,000 for an hour or two of work, I’m guessing you’d think that’s a pretty good deal; and you’d be right. But when that same equation is presented with a pay-day...
Media release: Investigation into energy disconnections a welcome first step
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement that it has directed the Essential Services Commission to conduct an investigation into the underlying causes of energy...
Joint submission: EWON prepayment meter discussion paper
Consumer advocates and welfare agencies have submitted a joint submission to the Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW’s prepayment meter discussion paper. We support joint work by consumer groups, ombudsme...
Media release: Energy market failing Victorian households, annual market report shows
An annual review of Australia’s energy markets suggest competition alone isn’t enough to keep the market running efficiently and to keep energy prices down. Research commissioned by the Australian Ene...
Media release: Credit reporting agency accused of breaching new credit reporting rules
Veda Advantage Ltd, a company which stores the credit history of millions of Australians, has been accused of breaching new credit reporting laws by promoting its $79.95 credit report at the expense o...
Consumer Action Law Centre Strategic Plan – 2014 to 2017
Setting the context Consumer Action Law Centre was established in 2006 to advance fairness in consumer markets and is today an influential consumer organisation, within Victoria and nationally. We hav...
Report: Smart Moves for a Smart Market
Smart Moves for a Smart Market: Simple steps to ensure consumer protections keep pace with innovation in a hi-tech energy market takes an in-depth look at the emerging demand-side energy market, inclu...
Submission: Consultation on proposed credit repair guideline
Consumer Action has provided comment on Credit Ombudsman Service's proposed guideline on credit repair. We welcome this proposal, and recommend that the Credit Ombudsman: reword the proposed guidel...
August 2014
CBA emails “conditionally approved” personal loans up to $30K News.com.au, 22 August 2014, John Rolf Avoiding a new era of retail electricity rip-offs Climate Spectator, 13 August 2014, Tristan E...
Joint submission: Financial Ombudsman Service proposed Terms of Reference Changes
Consumer Action and Financial Rights Legal Centre have provided comment on the Financial Ombudsman Service's proposed Terms of Reference changes. The consultation paper notes that operational guideli...
Media release: Energy retailers given the green light to increase prices at will
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is set to rubber stamp energy retailers’ ability to increase prices for consumers as often as they like. Energy retailers would have been banned from inc...
Report: Problems with Payment
As winter energy bills begin landing in letterboxes, a new report from the Consumer Action has identified fundamental flaws in the way energy retailers identify and assist struggling customers. Proble...
July 2014
All power to the energy companies when it comes to adjusting prices The Age, 31 July 2014, Brian Robins Vulnerable in a cry for help Herald Sun, 30 July 2014, Editorial Cold-hearted power comp...
Media release: As fixed term interest rates fall to record lows, borrowers advised to look beyond the short term
As Australian banks cut fixed term interest rates on home loans to record lows, financial counsellors at Consumer Action Law Centre have advised prospective borrowers to consider the longer term and w...
Media Release: Murray Inquiry – focus on fairness welcome for consumers
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the interim report from the Murray Inquiry into Australia’s financial system, and its acknowledgment that fairness, along with stability and efficiency, are imp...
Media Release: Revised debt collection guideline should improve industry conduct
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the revised Debt Collection Guideline published by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commi...
Private car parking fines
Key points: Private car parks cannot ‘fine’ consumers Carefully consider your options if you get a demand for payment from a private car park As of 26 August 2015, there are restrictions on...
Are Private Car Parks “Fines” Legitimate?
One of the most common questions asked of our legal practice is about the legitimacy of private car park payment notices and how to challenge them. A number of car parks are operated by private compa...
Media Release: Making home insurance fair and simple – Consumer Action welcomes new report findings
A new report by the Office of the Fire Services Levy Monitor has lifted the veil on Australia’s home insurance industry, exposing high profits, poor product and price disclosure, and a severe lack of...
Report: Barriers to Accessing Utility Relief Grants
Increasing electricity prices have had a significant impact on the consumers that contact Consumer Action for assistance—consumers experiencing debt issues and those with some of the lowest incomes in...
Media Release: Inquiry recommends changes to ASIC
Consumer Action welcomes much of the findings of the Senate Standing Committees on Economics Inquiry into the Performance of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and commends A...
Submission: Insurance Duty of Disclosure
Consumer Action has provided comments on the Commonwealth Treasury's proposed notices which explain the duty of disclosure consumers have when buying insurance. We broadly support these regulations, b...
Consumer Advocates and Financial Counsellors applaud Federal Parliament’s move to scrap $120 bankruptcy fee
Consumer advocates and financial counsellors have applauded Federal Parliament’s move to stop the Australian Financial Security Authority charging individuals a $120 to declare bankruptcy. The fee, i...
Submission: Consultation on Victorian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules
Consumer Action has made a submission to the Consultation on Victorian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules. We regularly assist debtors who are being pursued by lawyers or law firms acting on behalf of debt col...
Submission: Competition Policy Review Issues Paper
Consumer Action has made a submission on the Competition Policy Review Issues Paper. The key points and recommendations are outlined below: While effective competition generally ensures market outc...
Joint Submission: Economic regulation, governance and efficiency in the Victorian water sector
Consumer Action, the Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre and the Victorian Council of Social Service welcome the opportunity to comment on the May 2014 Preliminary Advice from the Independent Reviewer....
Submission: AEMC Rule Change on Customer Access to Information about their Energy Consumption
Consumer Action recognises the great potential for advanced metering to enhance consumers' understanding of their own energy consumption, and acknowledges that it can be an important link for consumer...
National Consumer Fraud Week 16 – 22 June
Have you ever wondered if someone is the real deal? These days, scammers are highly skilled at building deceptive relationships, using all sorts of tricks to convince you to trust them and part with y...
Consumers beware: Avoid solar panel pitfalls – use a retailer that has signed the code of conduct
The boom in the residential solar panel industry has created an array of problems for Victorian households due to a lack of appropriate consumer protections. Consumer Action’s lawyers get complaints a...
Media release: Single mother of four appeals VCAT second-hand car decision to Supreme Court
A Victorian mother of four has requested leave to appeal a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) decision in the Supreme Court. She took M&G Motors to VCAT in January 2014, seeking a...
June 2014
Protection fund needed to win consumers’ trust Australian Financial Review, 5 June 2014, Gerard Brody...
Submission: AEMC Rule Change on Expanding Competition in Metering and Related Services
Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to provide input into the AEMC's rule change proposal to expand competition in metering and related services. Consumer Action recognises the great potential f...
Joint submission: Productivity Commission’s Access to Justice draft report
Consumer Action and Consumer Credit Legal Centre NSW have made an extensive submission to the Productivity Commission's Access to Justice draft report. A summary of our submission is below or you can...
Submission: Review of the 2020 Renewable Energy Target
The Consumer Action Law Centre welcomes the opportunity to provide input into the Federal Government’s review of Australia’s Renewable Energy Target (RET). Consumer Action is an independent, not-for-...