News - Consumer Action Law Centre

Advocating for vulnerable, low income debtors

Low-income debtors often get the worst deal when it comes to dealing with debt—inaccessible or weak hardship assistance, particularly for those in long-term hardship; misleading or severe debt collect...

What if I have been sued for a debt?

Key message Act quickly to get advice if you have been sued for a debt in the Magistrate’s Court of Victoria. The Magistrates Court Process If the amount owed is $100,000 or less, a creditor...

Media release: More door-to-door complaints sent to ACCC, but further protections needed

Another 26 complaints about door-to-door salespeople have been lodged with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) as part of the Consumer Action Law Centre’s Do Not Knock Campaign....

Submission: Review of the Limited Merits Review Consultation Paper Two

Consumer Action’s response to the Review of Limited Merits Review Regime's Consultation Paper 2, Additional Statement of Issues and Questions. To read our submission please click here: Submission to...

Submission: Inquiry into the post-GFC banking sector

This submission makes the following brief points: that the development of an independent measure of the cost of bank funding (including offshore wholesale funding, and deposits), regularly reported...

Submission: Inquiry into the post-GFC banking sector

Rather than responding to each point of the Committee's terms of reference, this submission makes the following brief points: that the development of an independent measure of the cost of bank fundi...

Credit limit offers in the spotlight

We've all seen letters or messages from banks trying to entice us to increase our credit card limits. They come in a range or forms from Congratulations, you’ve been pre-approved, to Increase your cre...

Media release: ATM Taskforce delivers for remote communities, but more needs to be done

The Federal Government’s ATM Taskforce has delivered a mixed bag for consumers in its reports on transparency and competition according to the Consumer Action Law Centre. The Centre lauded moves to ab...

Media release: Punk Jobs ordered to refund $1150 to unhappy job seeker

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has ordered Punk Jobs to repay $1150 to a dissatisfied customer who alleged he was mislead and that Punk Jobs failed to deliver promised services...

Submission: Productivity Commission’s Regulatory Impact Assessment benchmarking study

This submission argues that the Regulatory Impact Assessment process could be improved if government agencies had more guidance on how to assess the benefits of regulation and the less tangible impact...

May 2012

VicRoads ordered to court in parking case ABC Online, 30 May 2012, Sarah Farnsworth Credit limit offers in the spotlight Briefed: The Law Blog, Herald Sun, 28 May 2012, Gerard Brody Short-chan...

Media release: Linked credit case could cast doubt on more NAB student loans

The Consumer Action Law Centre has lodged a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) against the National Australia Bank (NAB) and is seeking to have its client’s NAB student loan terminat...

Submission: Proposed amendments to the Consumer Credit and Corporations Legislation Amendment (Enhancements) Bill 2011

In brief, this submission recommends: With regards to hardship variations that Government consider providing detailed guidance to credit providers, perhaps through ASIC, to assist them to better a...

Joint submission: Consumer protections for users of payday loans

The following is a joint submission in response to Treasury's April 2012 discussion paper on proposed reforms to Small Amount Credit Contracts. This submission has been prepared by Consumer Action La...

Submission: Australian Energy Market Commission, Market Review, Power of Choice (Stage 3 DSP Review)

This review is about 'enabling consumers to make informed choices about the way they use electricity can help achieve efficient investment'. Consumer Action agrees that there are opportunities to impr...

April 2012

Banks target vulnerable customers The Sunday Age, 29 April 2012, Deborah Gough Anger over changes to payday loans Sydney Morning Herald, 25 April 2012, Ruth Williams Electricity consumers pay...

Policy report: Profiling for profit – a report on target marketing and profiling practices in the credit industry

The marketing of products and services to consumers who are likely to be interested in the offer, or to be profitable for the business, is not new. However, with the development of more sophisticated...

Media release: New consumer guide released – common problems in private colleges and training institutions

Common themes emerging in consumer complaints about some private colleges and training institutions has prompted the Consumer Action Law Centre to publish a guide about common problems, how to avoid t...

Media release: Revised payday lending Bill puts profits before people

The Consumer Action Law Centre has condemned the Federal Government’s proposed amendments to its Credit Enhancements Bill, calling them a cave in to industry lobbying and lamenting a lost opportunity...

Joint submission: Reforming flood insurance (Treasury)

Joint submission with Financial Counselling Australia, the Insurance Law Service and Footscray Community Legal Centre in response to the Commonwealth Government’s consultation paper Reforming Flood In...

Submission: Australian Energy Market Commission’s Economic Regulation of Energy Networks Rule Change, Directions Paper

This submission responds to the Directions Paper released by the Australian Energy Market Commission's on a National Energy and Gas Rule change proposal relating to the economic regulation of networks...

Media release: Consumer action calls on Energy Market Commission to ease energy bills by proceeding with rule-change

In a submission lodged today, the Consumer Action Law Centre called for the Australian Energy Market Commission to proceed with an energy rule change that would put downward pressure on household ener...

Submission: review of limited merits review consultation paper one

This submission responds to the Initial Discussion Paper of the Expert Panel reviewing the Limited Merits Review regime for energy regulatory decisions. Read our submission click: Initial submission...

Credit limit offers in the spotlight

We’ve all seen letters, emails or text message from banks trying to entice us to increase our credit limits. They come in a range or forms from Congratulations, you’ve been pre-approved, to Increase y...

Media release: Retirement village contracts confusing for consumers, says consumer group

The Consumer Action Law Centre says a case in which it is assisting an elderly retirement village resident with her dispute before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) demonstrates t...

Media release: Energy retailers urged to end to door-to-door sales

The Consumer Action Law Centre has challenged Australia's energy retailers to put an end to door-to-door energy sales. The Centre issued the challenge on the back of new research showing 77 percent of...

Energy retailers urged to end door-to-door sales

Consumer Action has challenged Australia's energy retailers to put an end to door-to-door energy sales. The Centre issued the challenge on the back of new research showing 77 per cent of Australians h...

March 2012

Court action follows door-to-door complaints PerthNow, 27 March 2012 Mortgage delinquency rate spikes ABC Radio, PM, 27 March 2012, Michael Janda Baillieu Government backs water fines for late...

February 2012

Flood cover: Insurers are still waiting Insurance News, 27 February 2012 Gillard Government doubles the maximum interest rate vulnerable consumers can be slugged The Daily Telegraph, 25 February 20...

Media release: Consumer Action Law Centre welcomes clarification of legal position of Do Not Knock sticker

The Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the proceedings initiated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission against three energy retailers and their marketing companies in relation to...

Submission: Fact sheets for home building and home contents insurance contracts (Treasury)

Submission to Commonwealth Treasury on the proposal to introduce key facts sheets for home building and home contents insurance contracts. To read our submission, please click here: Home Building and...

Submission: Proposed acquisition of GEAC by AGL Limited (ACCC)

Submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on the proposed acquisition of Loy Yang Power (GEAC) by AGL Limited To read our submission, please click: AGL Energy : GEAC acquisitio...

Media release: Consumer and welfare groups make eleventh hour bid to protect vulnerable Victorians

A group comprising consumer advocates and welfare agencies has made an eleventh hour plea to members of the Victorian Upper House, urging them to amend a bill which would allow metropolitan water busi...

Submission: Review of the regulatory impact assessment process (Department of Finance)

Submission to the Review of the Australian Government’s Regulatory Impact Assessment Process To read our submission, please click: Review of the Regulatory Impact Assessment process...

Do I have to pay an old debt?

Key Messages: There are time limits for taking legal action. This means that your debts may become too old for a creditor to successfully take legal action against you. Get advice before maki...

Submission: Energy white paper (Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism)

Submission to the Federal Government’s Energy White Paper consultation. To read our submission, please click: Draft Energy White Paper...

Federal Government’s Energy White Paper consultation

Consumer Action made a substantial submission to the Federal Government’s Energy White Paper consultation. The Draft White Paper is largely directed to industry development and investment, but is sile...

Submission: Gift Cards in the Australian Market

We’ve made a submission to the Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council (CCAAC) in response to its Issues Paper, Gift Cards in the Australian Market. We’ve argued that consumers should be better...

New consumer guide released: common problems in private colleges and training institutions

Common themes emerging in consumer complaints about some private colleges and training institutions has prompted the Consumer Action to publish a guide about common problems, how to avoid them and whe...

Debt collection – I’m being hassled by a debt collector, what should I do?

Use this fact sheet if you: are being hassled by a debt collector; or think that a debt collector or a creditor might be acting unfairly or unlawfully What do I do if I am being hassled b...

Debt collection – What can I do if a debt collector calls?

Use this fact sheet if: a creditor or debt collector has contacted you demanding that you pay a consumer debt; and legal proceedings have not been issued. If your problem relates to Centrel...

Policy Position on Water Pricing for Sustainable Household Consumption

Consumer Action has released a policy position paper on water pricing. While recognising the difficulties of rising water prices, the paper argues that over-reliance on water pricing as a demand manag...

Media release: Consumer group says Cash Converters’ process need formal investigation

The Consumer Action Law Centre has asked the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) to undertake a formal investigation into the internal dispute resolution processes of Cash Converter...

Joint consumer submission: EDR jurisdiction where debt collection commenced (ASIC)

Joint consumer submission in response to ASIC consultation paper 172: jurisdiction of External Dispute Resolution schemes to hear complaints against financial services providers who have started debt...

Ombudsman asked to consider lending practices of payday loan provider

Consumer Action is lodging another dispute against a high profile payday loan provider. The most recent dispute, being lodged on behalf of Ms Jane Bowyer with the Credit Ombudsman Service, alleges The...

Media release: Ombudsman asked to consider lending practices of payday loan provider

Submission: Gift cards in the Australian market (CCAAC)

Submission to the Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council in response to its Issues Paper: Gift Cards in the Australian Market. To read our submission, please click: Issues paper- gift cards i...

Policy Report: Door-to-door sales – consumer attitudes

The Consumer Action Law Centre recently commissioned research into consumer attitudes toward door-to-door selling. Key findings are: 77% dislike door-to-door sales Only 3% have a generally positive...

Submission: Unfair terms in insurance contract (Treasury)

Submission to the latest round of Federal Government consultation on unfair terms in insurance contracts. To read our submission, please click here: Unfair terms in Insurance contract...

Submission: A variation to surcharging standard (Reserve Bank of Australia)

Submission to the Reserve Bank of Australia regarding proposed changes to prevent traders charging excessive surcharges for credit card transactions. To read our submission, please click: A Variation...

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