News - Consumer Action Law Centre

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

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...

Media release: Landmark Federal Court decision a ringing endorsement of the Do Not Knock sticker

The Consumer Action Law Centre, creator of the Do Not Knock sticker and the organisation behind www.donotknock.org.au, has welcomed a Federal Court decision which found that salespeople who ignore vis...

Senate Select Inquiry on Electricity Prices

Consumer Action has provided evidence to the Senate Select Inquiry on Electricity Prices. Before the committee, Consumer Action argued that consumer welfare has been given insufficient attention by Au...

Motor Finance Wizard – general information

Use this fact sheet if you: have a contract with Motor Finance Wizard and want more information. More information can be found in our related factsheets: Action Sheet: Motor Finance Wiza...

Motor Finance Wizard: how to make a free complaint to the Credit and Investments Ombudsman

Use this fact sheet if you: want to make a free complaint about Motor Finance Wizard to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) This factsheet should be read along with our relate...

Motor Finance Wizard – Walker v DTGV1 Pty Ltd

Key Message: DTGV1 Pty Ltd, trading as V1 Leasing, is one of a number of companies which trade under the name of ‘Motor Finance Wizard’; in Walker v DTGV1 Pty Ltd, Motor Finance Wizard w...

Dispute Resolution: Consumer Disputes in VCAT

Key points If you have a dispute with a business, you can make a complaint to VCAT; Small Claims in VCAT are designed for consumers to represent themselves; application fees are usually wai...

Water debt

[box type="note" icon="none"] Use this information sheet if You are having problems paying your water bill Your water business is demanding that you pay more than you can afford You want to kno...

Electricity and gas debt

Use this information sheet if: you are having trouble paying your electricity or gas bill; or you want information about payment arrangements and your rights. You do have rights under the E...

Home Repossession

[box type="note" icon="none"] Use this Fact Sheet if: You are being pursued for payment of a debt; and You are threatened with court action to take possession of your home or other house or land....

Submission: Proposed regulations for the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protections) Bill

Consumer Action has made a submission to the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department on proposed regulations for the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protections) Bill. This submission discusse...

Joint submission: Regulation of water retailers’ Debt Management Powers Consultation Paper

The Consumer Action Law Centre, Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre, Victorian Council of Social Services, Community Information and Support Victoria, Uniting Care Kildonan, National Seniors Australia,...

Media release: Committee’s rejection of a Do Not Knock register can’t be the end of the debate

The Consumer Action Law Centre, the organisation behind the national ‘Do Not Knock campaign’, says a Federal Parliamentary committee's rejection of a private members bill designed to establish a do no...

September 2012

Electricity prices continue to soar in Victoria, Essential Services Commission report reveals Herald Sun, 20 September 2012, Anne Wright Power shock: bills up 33% in five years The Age, 20 Septem...

Submission: Early Termination Fees under Consumer Leases

Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to comment on Treasury's discussion paper on early termination fees under consumer leases. In this submission: we welcome attempts to improve transparency an...

Media release: Consumer Action welcomes High Court ruling on bank penalty fees

Consumer Action has welcomed today's High Court ruling which found that a number of different bank fees are capable of being considered unlawful penalties. The Centre, whose predecessor Consumer Law C...

Submission: Response to draft regulations to support the Consumer Credit Enhancements Bill 2012

Consumer Action welcomes the opportunity to comment on Regulations to support provisions in the Consumer Credit Legislation Amendment (Enhancements) Bill 2012. Briefly, we have serious concerns about...

Submission: review of limited merits review discussion paper three

This submission responds to the Third Consultation Paper of the Expert Panel reviewing the Limited Merits Review regime for energy regulatory decisions. Read our submission: submission to Limited mer...

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