Welcome to the Consumer Action Law Centre, a campaign-focused consumer advocacy, litigation & policy organisation based in Melbourne, Australia.
Latest news
July 2008
21/7: Reckless lending. Many Australian lenders use of the term ‘responsible lending’ to describe various approaches to marketing and selling credit that are regarded as ‘ethical’ or ‘appropriate’. Consumer Action is concerned that there is still much ‘irresponsible’ or ‘reckless’ lending in the marketplace. We have produced a briefing paper that explores issues related to reckless lending and asks ‘to what extent do borrower and lender interests align in the marketing and selling of credit’? Click here to download the briefing paper.
9/7: Debt collection. Are you getting debt threats? Have you felt threatened by a debt collector? The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission are holding a Debt Collection Phone-in Day. If you have experienced problems with debt collectors or creditors, you can phone in to talk about your experience. Call the Debt Collection Phone-in Day Hotline on 1300 302 502. Thursday, 31 July 2008, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Click here for more information.
8/7: Bankruptcy trustees fees. Consumer Action is concerned about the excessive levels of fees charged by some bankruptcy trustees. We are concerned that the regulatory framework does not sufficiently protect bankrupts and that competition is not working to ensure efficient and fair outcomes. We have provided a submission to the Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia about the framework for the remuneration of bankruptcy trustees, including a case study outlining the experience of a Consumer Action client.
4/7: Ensuring fair energy pricing. Consumer Action has released a fact sheet about reforms needed to ensure consumers benefit from the competitive energy market. We are calling on the Victorian Government to require retailers to publish details of all market contracts and ensure offers are comparable, by mandating disclosure of certain features and requiring consistent terminology.
4/7: On the Wire. The latest edition of On the Wire, Consumer Action's regular newsletter on community sector involvement and interest in the national energy market, is now available. To subscribe, please email info@consumeraction.org.au with 'On the Wire' in the subject line.
June 2008
28/6: National Say NO to the Wizard day: Consumer advocates in three states are campaigning against unfair motor car trading practices, with a national 'Say NO to the Wizard' day on 28 June 2008. Read our press release.
17/6: Payday lending. Consumer Action has prepared a submission to the Victorian Government’s Small Amount Cash Lending Inquiry. We have also prepared a draft literature review as part of our ongoing project examining payday lending in Australia. We argue that most payday lending exacerbates rather than resovles consumers’ debt problems.
16/6: Have your say! The ACCC is currently investigating the proposed acquisition of St George Bank Limited (St George) by Westpac Banking Corporation (Westpac). Given the stong consumer element of the proposed acquisition, the ACCC is seeking to encourage greater consumer involvement in its market inquiries process in the course of its investigation of this matter. Consumer Action encourages consumers to complete the survey which can be downloaded here. Closing date 23 June 2008.
11/6: Keeping Australia’s consumer protections up to date. Consumer Action has released a report, The consumer protection provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974: Keeping Australia up to date. The comprehensive report examines Australia’s consumer protection framework in light of international developments. It makes a number of recommendations that advance the interests of consumers and a well functioning competitive market to ensure Australia’s consumer protection framework is world’s best. The report complements the recent final report from the Productivity Commission’s Review of Australia Consumer Policy Framework.
5/6: Motor Finance Wizard. Consumer Action has launched proceedings against Motor Finance Wizard in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Read our media release.
Fair Go on Fees
Join our campaign against unfair, excessive and unlawful penalty fees charged by Australian bank