More support needed for Victorian households as cost of default prices for electricity will increase by 25%
The Essential Services Commission (ESC) has listened to consumer groups’ calls for a reduction of the proposed increase to the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) for energy in Victoria. However, today's an...
New Anti-Scam centre funding welcomed but will it help Bill who lost $20,000?
Consumer Action CEO Stephanie Tonkin has welcomed the extra funding announced in the Federal Budget for the Anti-Scam Centre, saying it’s a first step in the right direction, but deep concerns remain...
REPORT: Telcos still not doing enough for customers
A new report from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has revealed that the telco industry is still not doing enough to help people suffering from financial hardship. Consumer Action's David...
Hundreds of thousands of telco customers cut off as 2.4 million Australians struggle to pay telco bills
Telco providers are far less likely than other essential services to provide hardship assistance to Australians when they find themselves in financial crisis and here’s the proof: last year 406,428 cu...
New code will improve outcomes for Victorian consumers
Consumer Action Law Centre welcomes the announcement from Solar Victoria that all solar photo voltaic (PV) and battery retailers participating in their Solar Homes and Solar for Business programs will...
ACMA finds Telstra wrongfully cut off 5,400 vulnerable customers, proving stronger laws are needed
“Instead of offering fair and suitable hardship arrangements to support customers struggling to pay their bills, Telstra and other telco providers continue to breach their own industry rules by cuttin...
Australia’s banks failing customers by placing all the burden of the scams crisis on them says damning ASIC report
Australia’s four major banks are failing their customers by taking a ‘variable and…less mature’ approach to scams than expected, with ‘inconsistent and narrow approaches to determining liability’ as w...
Only a Federal Government mandate forcing banks to reimburse customers will solve growing scams crisis says Consumer Action
Scammers are targeting Australians online with highly sophisticated scams, stealing $billions from ordinary families and businesses every year -and it’s getting worse! That’s the message from the Aust...
Debt collection ban for social welfare recipients a step forward but ‘in-house’ approach must comply with Australian Consumer Law
Consumer Action Law Centre and Financial Counselling Australia have welcomed the Government’s announcement today banning the use of external debt collectors for social welfare recipients by Centrelink...
Vic energy regulator urged to scale back proposed price hikes
Victoria's leading social, legal, financial and consumer rights' bodies have united to oppose a dramatic planned rise in power prices across Victoria. The state's independent energy regulator, the Es...
Now is the time to make positive reforms to bankruptcy laws say consumer advocates
Consumer advocates around Australia have welcomed moves by Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC MP to reform bankruptcy laws. Last month, consumer advocates attended a Ministerial Roundtable on Perso...
ACCAN report reveals massive telco failure to provide effective hardship support for those doing it tough to stay connected
Telcos are not doing enough to provide access to adequate hardship measures for those doing it tough in what is now the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, says David Hofierka, Senior Policy...
Energy price hikes a further blow to families during cost-of-living crisis
Energy price hikes announced today of more than 30 per cent in the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) draft determination, are yet another blow to families during the worst cost of-living crisis in a gener...
Scams must be stopped: Westpac alerts for mis-matched payments and money transfer measures welcomed
Consumer Action CEO Stephanie Tonkin says Westpac’s announcement of a new verification system for payments and money transfer measures to new accounts are “…steps in the right direction to help stop t...
Consumer Action calling on banks to block payments to scammers and reimburse victims
Australia’s banks should quickly introduce measures to stop scams, make their systems safer and reimburse victims or be made by Government to do so, says Consumer Action CEO Stephanie Tonkin. Ms Tonk...
Increase in TIO complaints underlines need for stronger consumer protections
As the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) Quarter Two Complaints Report reveals a noticeable increase in complaints about telecommunications companies,” Consumer Action is reiterating its cal...
Australia’s banks should follow CBA’s lead and introduce stronger measures to stop scams
The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) has announced it is introducing measures to strengthen its payment system that will make it harder for crooks to scam their customers. The measures called NameCheck and Cal...
Repeat offender Alinta Energy fined $380,000 for failing to help Victorians in dire need
Consumer Action has welcomed the Essential Services Commission (ESC) imposing $380,000 in penalties on energy retailer Alinta Energy Retail Sales Pty Ltd (Alinta Energy) for failing to provide adequat...
Regulate Buy Now, Pay Later like other credit products to boost customer safeguards, consumer groups say
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) late fees and charges would be capped, and providers would be licensed and banned from making unsolicited offers of credit, under recommendations for proper regulation of the...
High Court dismisses last ditch appeal by rogue lender
Consumer advocates have welcomed the dismissal by the High Court of a special leave application by Cigno Pty Ltd (Cigno) and BHF Solutions Pty Ltd (BHFS) against the Full Federal Court’s finding in en...
Energy price caps welcomed, but bill relief needs to reach those doing it toughest in cost-of-living crisis
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed today’s passing of the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Gas Prices) Bill 2022, which will cap gas prices and deliver bill relief, as well as plans to support...
Stephanie Tonkin appointed CEO of Consumer Action Law Centre
The Consumer Action Law Centre board has appointed Stephanie Tonkin as CEO. Ms Tonkin will succeed current CEO Gerard Brody when he finishes at the beginning of February. Board Chair David Berry...
Revision to Banking Code of Practice needs teeth to really help those doing it tough
Consumer advocates are calling for Australian banks to maintain and enhance robust consumer protections, following an independent review of the Banking Code of Practice (the Banking Code). The Aust...
Consumer protections for high-cost and harmful payday loans and consumer leases finally pass Parliament
After a late-night Senate sitting, Consumer Advocacy groups across Australia are celebrating the passing through the Federal Parliament of long overdue reforms that will protect consumers from falling...
