Lower Victorian Default Offer for electricity welcomed but consumers in energy hardship need much more relief
More callers in paid employment contacting the National Debt Helpline are struggling with energy debt and reporting an increase in energy retailers providing inadequate hardship assistance. That’s...
Energy prices hitting families hard and bigger price reductions urgently needed say consumer advocates
Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Stephanie Tonkin has welcomed draft decision by the Essential Services Commission (ESC) that will see a modest decrease in energy bills this year, but as more families a...
Senate Inquiry: Cost-of-Living crisis highlights the need for supermarket prices to be fair and transparent say consumer advocates
Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Stephanie Tonkin and Acting Director of Financial Counselling Practice Claire Tacon will be giving evidence today at the Senate Select Committee hearing into supermarket...
Regulation of Buy Now, Pay Later a step closer, but concerns remain over details
Consumer groups have responded to draft Buy Now, Pay Later legislation (BNPL) released today : Quotes attributable to Stephanie Tonkin, CEO of Consumer Action Law Centre “We welcome regulating Buy...
‘Honeypot’ Australia lagging far behind as nations take action on scams
Inaction on scams is creating a ‘perfect storm’ for people living in Australia already under siege in a cost-of-living crisis, exposing the country’s vulnerable banking and communications infrastructu...
Relief for telco customers in financial hardship welcomed – but much more needs to be done
Consumer Action’s CEO Stephanie Tonkin says new telco supports flagged by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) are a significant step in the right direction, but further work must...
Scam victims head to Canberra to tell politicians why banks should be incentivised to stop scams
Tim Watkins, Sarah Gerendasi, James Green, and Nina Merrilees were robbed of thousands of dollars by scammers. They are travelling to Canberra today to share their stories at the launch of the new Par...
Advocates set out crystal-clear path to reimbursement to prevent the billions being lost by Australians to scams
A coalition of advocacy groups, including Consumer Action Law Centre, CHOICE and the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, have come out forcefully stating that customer reimbursement, pa...
Consumer fail: New Telco Code proposal delivers little for vulnerable consumers
The Communications Alliance, the peak industry body for the Australian communications sector, has released a proposed framework and review package for the Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP)...
Scams: Mandatory regulation outline promising but more clarity needed on standards and consumers’ rights to reimbursement
The mandatory Code for Scams consultation paper announced by the Federal Treasury today sets out some proposals to tackle the scams crisis, however the final regulation must land on clearer stipulated...
Banking industry announcement a big first step in addressing scams
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the scams safe accord announced by the Australian Banking Association (ABA) and Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA) which has involved, for the first time...
Federal Court Grants Injunction to Protect Pawned Goods in Class Action against Pawnbroker, Taylors Business
The Federal Court has granted an injunction against pawnbroker, Taylors Business Pty Ltd (ACN 107 445 723) (Taylors Business) in class action proceedings filed by Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer...
Consumer Action launches class action in Federal Court against pawnbroker Taylors Business
Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) has filed a class action in the Federal Court of Australia against Taylors Business Pty Ltd. The lead plaintiff, a Victorian woman, represents herself and...
REPORT: Victoria overrun with dodgy lemon cars as current dispute process totally unfit for consumers
A groundbreaking report from the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) has found that over half (54%) of all Victorians who bought used or new car in the past five years experienced major or minor fa...
Consumer Action statement on the referendum result
The referendum result is incredibly tough for our First Nations staff, stakeholders and First Nations people across the country. Consumer Action feels deep disappointment and concern about the message...
Telcos still not connecting with Aussies -especially those most impacted by the cost-of-living crisis
The latest figures released in the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman’s (TIO) 2023 Annual report show that the nation’s telcos are still not providing an acceptable standard of service in many key...
ASIC’s strong action against discredited loan-shark Cigno, BSF Solutions and its directors applauded
Consumer Action Law Centre and Financial Counselling Australia say they hope the Australian Securities and Investment Commission’s (ASIC) court action announced today against Cigno and BSF Solutions a...
In this cost-of-living crisis Telstra can do much better on hardship support
The vast majority of Telstra customers will pay $5 per month more on their internet bills following price increases announced this week. Consumer Action Law Centre CEO Stephanie Tonkin said a growi...
Consumer Action backs First Nations Voice and says ‘vote YES’
Consumer Action Law Centre strongly supports a yes vote in the coming October 14 referendum. In 2017 Consumer Action officially supported the Uluru Statement from the Heart for acknowledgement in t...
REPORT: Insurers must lift their game and handle customer claims better especially for vulnerable consumers
A new Report from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Navigating the storm: ASIC's review of home insurance claims (LINK) calls on Australia’s insurers to step up and improve r...
ASIC action against debt vulture preying on people in financial hardship welcomed
Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed news that corporate watchdog the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is taking legal action against Bakken Holdings Pty Ltd, also known as S...
Complaints about financial firms to AFCA skyrocket as thousands of Australians left behind
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has revealed that consumers in dispute with financial firms lodged a record 96,987 complaints in the past 12 months, an unprecedented rise of 34 pe...
‘Claim denied’: Report highlights insurance industry’s systemic failure
A new report has found that insurance companies are relying on maintenance or wear and tear exclusions to deny customers too many claims with almost half the decisions subsequently overturned on appea...
Good news: Predatory lenders Cigno and BHF won’t escape justice
The success of the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) in its Federal Court action against Cigno Pty Ltd (Cigno) and BHF Solutions Pty Ltd (BHF Solutions), is good news which we hop...
