Revised Code of Banking Practice
Today marks the beginning of the revised Banking Code of Practice. The Code specifies how banks should treat their customers and represents a contract between the two parties, giving banking customers...
Submission: Water Price Review 2013-2018
Consumer Action and the Consumer Utility Advocacy Centre Ltd have made a joint submission to the Metropolitan and Regional Businesses Water Plans for 2013-2018. Our comments in this submission apply...
Submission: Taxi Industry Inquiry—Response to Final Report
Consumer Action has made a submission on the Taxi Industry Inquiry’s Final Report, Customers First—Service, Safety, Choice. This report is an important one. The taxi industry is one where consumers...
Media release: Proposed taxi overhaul receives strong backing from consumers
Victoria’s specialist independent consumer law and advocacy centre believes the recommendations of Professor Allan Fels' Taxi Industry Inquiry will significantly improve the industry if implemented co...
Consumer InterAction – Issue 1 of 2013
The first edition of Consumer InterAction for 2013 is now online. This edition features articles on: Proposed VCAT fees increases; Unfair contract terms extended to insurance industry; R...
Media release: Questions raised about students’ entitlement to refund of NAB loans
The Consumer Action Law Centre is urging consumers who took out loans with the National Australia Bank to pay for course fees with the College of Creative Arts and Technology, and who did not get to...
Media release: Internship company Borch Leeman consents to pay $2500 to unhappy customer
Internship company Borch Leeman has agreed to pay $2,500 to a disgruntled customer who claimed it had, amongst other things, imposed unfair contract terms and breached consumer guarantees in contraven...
Submission: Single pricing requirements – proposal to exempt restaurants and cafes
Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to comment on the proposed amendments to the Australian Consumer Law in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2012 (Cth). Precedent of exemptions wit...
Amendments to privacy legislation
Amendments to privacy legislation regulating credit reporting passed Federal Parliament late last year. While the reforms won't come into effect until March 2014, lenders can already begin collecting...
Keeping Food on the Table – training and support to Victorian Community Legal Centres
Consumer Action has received funding from the Legal Service Board to provide training and support to Victorian Community Legal Centres. The project aims to build the capacity of the Community Legal C...
January 2013
Water price rises may slow as report urges desal payback delay Herald Sun, 31 January 2013, Karen Collier How to cure Christmas credit hangover Herald Sun, 13 January 2013, Karina Barrymore Victoria...
Media Release: Consumer group welcomes extension of unfair terms protections to insurance contracts
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the announcement from Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury that unfair contract term laws will be extended to general insurance contracts. Protections against unf...
Submission: Consumer Affairs Victoria’s review of section 32 of the Sale of Land Act
Consumer Action’s submission to Consumer Affairs Victoria's review of section 32 of the Sale of Land Act makes the following general points: we support efforts to reduce regulatory burden, but cutti...
Media release: ASIC asked to investigate Radio Rentals and its ‘rent try $1 buy’ offer
The Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the release of the Australian Securities & Investments Commission's (ASIC) updated Good Practice Guidance for Credit and Financial Service Advertising a...
Consumer Action’s 2011/2012 Annual Report
Consumer Action’s 2011/2012 Annual Report is now available and features information about our: Legal practice; policy team; MoneyHelp financial counselling service; Volunteer program; and Outrea...
Media release: Review of energy retailers’ customer service is damning
The Essential Services Commission’s (ESC) annual review of Energy retailers’ customer service performance is damning of the industry’s ability to assist struggling households. The Consumer Action Law...
Accessing free insurance advice
The Financial Rights Legal Centre provides a range of self help kits on insurance matters. The Australian Financial Complaints Authority also offers insurance fact sheets on: Life Insuranc...
Consumer Action supports improved regulation of unsupervised finance and debenture companies
Consumer Action has voiced its support for improved regulation of unsupervised finance and debenture companies. The Centre believes the recent collapse of Banksia in regional Victoria has highlighted...
December 2012
Companies too quick to disconnect utilities: report ABC News, 11 December 2012 Big increase in gas, electricity disconnections ABC News, 10 December 2012 12 days of Christmas on the cards Syd...
Media release: Victorian Building Authority a chance to recast fundamentally flawed consumer protection system
Consumer Action has welcomed the Victorian Government plan to establish a new body to oversee and enforce regulation in the domestic building industry. Consumer Action believes the creation of the Vic...
Submission: Electricity network regulatory frameworks—Productivity Commission draft report
Consumer Action has responded to the Productivity Commission's Draft Report on Electricity Network Regulatory Frameworks. We have found the Commission‘s review of the Electricity Network Regulatory F...
Media release: Consumer Group hits out at Energy Retail Code
The Energy Retail Code, which allows energy retailers to increase the price of electricity multiple times during the term of a contract, has come under fire from the Consumer Action Law Centre. In a l...
Media release: New consumer report makes practical recommendations on energy market reform
A new report from the Consumer Action Law Centre, A Policy Trilemma: creating an affordable, secure and sustainable energy market, authored by former UK EnergyWatch CEO and former Commonwealth Ombudsm...
Policy report: A Policy Trilemma: creating an affordable, secure and sustainable energy market
A new report from the Consumer Action Law Centre, A Policy Trilemma: creating an affordable, secure and sustainable energy market, authored by former UK EnergyWatch CEO and former Commonwealth Ombudsm...
Consumer Action welcomes the Victorian Government’s plan to establish a Fire Services Monitor
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the Victorian Government’s plan to establish a Fire Services Monitor to protect consumer interests as changes are made to the way the fire services levy is admi...
Media release: Frenzied Christmas shopping can lead to a debt filled new year
On the eve of web marketing event Click frenzy, MoneyHelp has warned Australian consumers to consider their next credit card bill before proceeding to the virtual checkout. MoneyHelp, one of Australia...
Submission: Review of debt agreements under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 – Proposals Paper
Consumer Action has made a submission to the Review of Debt Agreements under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 proposals paper. Our submission: reiterates our recommendation that the Bankruptcy Act should be...
The Age publishes recording of ACM Group attempting to collect debts
A recent Federal Court ruling found debt collection agency ACM Group (and its predecessor Accounts Control Management Services) engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct as well as undue harassment...
Media release: Energy White Paper a significant improvement on draft
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the Federal Government's Energy White Paper, which it believes is a significant improvement from the draft. The Centre said that it was pleasing that the White...
Media release: Warning to consumers who are desperate to buy or sell a home
Consumer Action Law Centre is warning consumers about schemes which link up people who are desperate to sell their homes with people who are looking to buy but are unable to get a loan. 'These types...
Submission: Consumer lease reform
Consumer Action has made a submission to Commonwealth Department of Treasury on cost disclosure and termination fees in consumer lease contracts. The submission argues that: there is no difference...
November 2012
Price rises in gas, electricity contracts under fire News.com.au, 25 November 2012, Karen Collier Kogan, Telstra leak Click Frenzy discounts ahead of online sales News.com.au, 20 November 2012,...
Submission: Review of Limited Merits Review for Energy Pricing Determinations
Consumer Action has provided a submission to the Standing Council on Energy & Resources on the Final Report of the Expert Panel set up to examine the Limited Merits Review Regime for energy determ...
Debt collection – keeping a record of debt collector contact
Even if you owe money, the law protects you against unlawful debt collection conduct. See our fact sheets on What can I do if a debt collector calls? for more information. This Debt Collection Contac...
Media release: Federal Court finds ACM Group’s misleading or deceptive conduct was ‘not just widespread, it was systemic’
A Federal Court ruling, which found debt collection agency ACM Group (and its predecessor Accounts Control Management Services) engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct as well as undue harassment...
Consumers’ Federation of Australia consumer survey
The Consumers’ Federation of Australia stands up for consumer rights. Its new consumer survey is a chance for you to tell it what is important to you. This survey is open to all consumers in Austra...
Media release: Energy debate must address the real drivers of the unnecessary electricity price increases
The Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed comments made by Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Chairman Rod Sims warning that the energy reform debate must address the real drivers...
Media release: Superannuation Consumer Centre recognises the importance of independent advocacy
Working Australians will benefit from the Federal Government’s $10 million investment to establish a Superannuation Consumer Centre. The Consumer Action Law Centre said that the plan to establish a co...
Funeral plans: what are you paying for?
We understand that, for many Australians, funeral plans offer a level of certainty and peace of mind, both emotionally and financially. But Australians thinking about taking out a funeral plan should...
Supplementary Submission: Senate Select Inquiry on Electricity Pricing
Consumer Action has written to the Senate Select Committee on Electricity Prices in response to the written questions it provided on 5 October 2012. The committee has asked the following questions:...
Consumer Guarantees: Defective goods and services
Key message: When you buy goods or services, those goods or services must meet certain standards called 'guarantees' under the Australian Consumer Law. Use this template letter if you purchase...
Submission: The definition of ‘terms contract’ under the Sale of Land Act 1962
Consumer Action has provided comment on Consumer Affairs Victoria's discussion paper on the definition of 'terms contract' under the Sale of Land Act 1962. We have argued that: the 2008 amendment t...
Media release: New case to highlight consumer protections in second hand car market
A new case lodged with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) highlights the Australian Consumer Law’s (ACL) ‘consumer guarantee’ provisions and their ability to deal with disputes ove...
October 2012
Victims in false debt claims The Age, 31 October 2012, Andrea Petrie Consumer law to-do list maps the big picture Daily Telegraph, 25 October 2012, Rosemarie Lentini Shorten's flexible approac...
Submission: Australian Energy Market Commission’s Power of Choice Review, Draft Report
In this submission, Consumer Action argues that the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has not adequately considered many of the practical implications of proceeding with its recommendations,...
Debt Collection – seeking compensation in relation to consumer credit and lease contracts
Key Message: When a creditor or debt collector has engaged in undue harassment, or other unlawful behaviours, in relation to a consumer credit contract (loan) or lease you may be able to seek compens...
On the Wire: edition 33
Consumer action has published the October edition of On the Wire, a quarterly publication featuring updates on national energy market reforms and regulatory processes. Edition 33 can be found here....
Joint media release: Consumer groups fear small debts could lead to big problems for Australian consumers
This is a joint media release from Financial Counselling Australia, Australian Privacy Foundation, Australian Communication Consumer Action Network, Consumer Credit Legal Centre NSW and Consumer Actio...
Submission: Economic Regulation of Network Service Providers—Draft Determination
Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to provide comments on the Draft Determination of the Australian Energy Market Commission in relation to the Economic Regulation of Network Service Providers R...
Submission: ATM fees in selected very remote Indigenous communities
Consumer Action has supported the ACCC's draft determination on the Australian Bankers' Association (ABA) proposal to reduce ATM fees in selected very remote Indigenous communities. Financial Counsel...