Media-Releases

20 August 2010: Voters have a choice on consumer policies when they go to the polls

Large differences in the major parties’ responses to the Australian consumer groups’ Election Platform mean voters can consider their future needs as consumers before making their decision on Saturday.

10 August 2010: Family pays $2,500 for holiday house but owner refuses to let them stay

Consumer Action has issued proceedings in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on behalf of a client who alleges a holiday house owner wrongly kept her payment for her family holiday.

3 August 2010: Consumer groups say new tax to replace fire services levy is a bad idea

Consumer advocates are disappointed with the Bushfire Royal Commission’s recommendation to scrap the fire services levy in favour of a property based levy saying it will be bad for local councils and won’t give consumers any real benefits if it’s introduced.

2 August 2010: Global Maths and English sued by disappointed parent

Consumer Action Law Centre has launched proceedings on behalf of a client in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal against Global Maths and English and their linked credit provider, Ardennan, for misleading and deceptive conduct in relation to the in home sales of their educational software.

29 July 2010: Cases multiply against math software profider Edufin

Consumer Action has issued five separate proceedings in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal against educational software provider Edufin. In each case, parents claim they thought they were buying the software on credit only to discover the documents they signed purported to be a lease agreement.

28 July 2010: Phone scammers use bank fees class action to rip off consumers

Consumer Action is urging consumers to watch out for scammers who are swindling hundreds of dollars from unwitting consumers with bogus claims of being able to recover thousands of dollars in overcharged bank fees on their behalf.

11 June 2010: Consumer groups say - Don’t unplug Australians!

Consumer representatives from across the nation tell Energy Ministers to lift their game on the national energy consumer law or put more Australians at risk of being cut-off from electricity and gas

Consumer representatives from across the country greeted the Federal and State & Territory Energy Ministers as they entered their twice-yearly meeting today in Melbourne. The Ministers were handed a Fact Sheet as they entered their meeting listing 10 key problems with the law.

21 May 2010: New energy law penalties fall woefully short on consumer protections

Consumer Action Law Centre says the new national energy consumer law proposed by the Federal and State Governments will make it more profitable for energy retailers to violate consumer rights than actually obey the law.

21 May 2010: Clive Peeters not "so eeeasy" for some unlucky customers

Consumer Action Law Centre is warning customers to be cautious about buying goods from failed white goods and electronics retailer Clive Peeters unless they take them away on the day, saying many customers who have already bought goods from the retailer but not received them are likely to be disappointed.

17 May 2010: Consumer groups fear city water users will get the "South Gippsland treament" under unified water laws

Consumer groups are concerned that large water bill price rises for Melbournians will be combined with new unfair and punitive measures to pursue payment.

12 May 2010: Business loophole in new consumer lending laws could spell disaster for vulnerable borrowers

Consumer Action is warning consumers to avoid unregistered or unlicensed brokers and lenders now that new national consumer lending laws are coming into force.

27 April 2010: Debt collector complaints too "small-fry" for consumer watchdog ASIC

Consumer Action Law Centre has issued proceedings in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal against both the debt collection company ACM and the National Australia Bank (NAB) on behalf of a client who says he was misled and intimidated by the collection company after the bank on-sold his debt.

8 April 2010: Victorians deserve a better deal on rental housing

Minimum standards to ensure all Victorian rental properties are safe, healthy and affordable to live in are urgently needed, said Victoria’s state-wide telephone and web financial counselling service, MoneyHelp. MoneyHelp was responding to the campaign launched today by the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) urging decent, not dodgy housing for Victorian renters, after VCOSS found 1 in 10 rental properties in Victoria are unfit for human habitation.

26 March 2010: "Shonky" brokers stopped from slipping through the cracks

Consumer Action has welcomed the efforts of the Coalition and Greens in working with the Victorian Government to make amendments to a Bill to ensure consumers won’t fall victim to “shonky” brokers because of a legislative timing error.

17 March 2010: Insurance Council says disaster relief is bad for business

More than a year after the Black Saturday bushfires devastated Victoria, a submission to the Bushfires Royal Commission on behalf of the Insurance Council of Australia has complained that post-disaster assistance “is a potential cause of non-insurance” and that government or community funded help “reduces the benefits of taking out insurance”.

15 March 2010: Parents need to learn more before they sign up for educational software

Consumer Action Law Centre and Deakin University release a new report "Shutting the Gates: an analysis of the psychology of in-home sales of educational software" at today's National Consumer Congress.

The launch will also incorporate the release of a new short film "Shutting the Gates" - a docu-drama based on actual interviews with former sales staff and case studies used in the report.

22 February 2010: Vacuum sales company tries to sweep damage under the rug

One Consumer Action client is suing vacuum sales company S&J Universal after one of their sales team destroyed a valuable silk rug during an in-home demonstration.

19 February 2010: Legitimacy of car park fines could soon be decided

One Consumer Action client continues to pursue Care Park through VCAT in order to obtain a decision on the legitimacy of the demands for payment issued by private car park operators.

18 February 2010: Distributors ask to add extra 14% to consumer electricity bills

Consumer Action Law Centre has made a submission to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) after Victoria’s five electricity distributors provided forecasts estimating they would need Victorian customers to pay for more than $8.5 billion in expenses for the years 2011 to 2015, a whopping $3 billion increase on 2006-2010.

3 February 2010: Fire insurance debate reignited as anniversary approaches

Almost a year after the Black Saturday bushfires devastated Victoria, consumer groups have hit back at the insurance industry’s attempts to pressure the Government into eliminating the fire services levy from insurance premiums, blaming insurers themselves as the main culprits behind under-insurance in the community.

2 February 2010: Important - Scam Warning

Scammers are continuing to use Consumer Action's name when contacting victims to obtain bank details.

The scammers claim to be checking whether banks are overcharging their customers and tell you that they have found your bank is overcharging you and owes you thousands of dollars. They may ask you to pay money or to provide your bank account details so that they can claim money back for you from your bank.

Consumer Action is not responsible for these calls. We strongly advise the public - do not give any of your personal or bank account details to these callers and do not send them any money.

23 December 2009: Collection Point misleads client and sues his lawyers

Consumer Action Law Centre has succeeded in a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) action against money retrieval agency, Collection Point, and recovered the sum of $1,108.85 for one of its clients. The case became more complicated when Collection Point’s lawyers launched proceedings in VCAT against Consumer Action and two of its lawyers.

30 October 2009: Regulator’s report opens door to private operators in Victorian water sector

Consumer groups warn that the delivery of water services in Victoria could be radically changed, following the release of a report from the Essential Services Commission today.

21 October 2009: Consumer win sets precedent for others burnt by Kleenmaid collapse

Consumer Action Law Centre has successfully represented a couple who sought to recover thousands of dollars from a linked credit provider who financed their purchase of kitchen goods from Kleenmaid Pty Ltd, before it was placed in administration earlier this year.

19 October 2009: Help for Victorian workers struggling to cope

The Victorian Government launches a new financial counselling call centre to help Victorian workers affected by the global economic downturn.

15 October 2009: NAB breaks from the pack

Other banks need to review their fees to keep their customers.

We welcome today’s announcement that NAB will abolish its monthly account keeping fees and credit card penalty fees. The fee cuts place NAB well ahead of Westpac, ANZ and the Commonwealth Bank in delivering competitive and fair banking products.

15 October 2009: New Credit Reporting - Silver lining masks big grey cloud

Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed aspects of the Government's proposed reforms to credit reporting in Australia. However we question whether the steps forward for consumers on complaint handling are worth the price of some of the other reforms.

8 October 2009: Consumer Action Law Centre warns the public about telephone scam falsely using its name

Consumer Action Law Centre warns the public that scammers are contacting people falsely claiming to be an employee or representative of Consumer Action.

14 September 2009: Australian Institute of Fitness gives young woman a financial workout

A young school leaver is defending a legal claim by the Australian Institute of Fitness to pay $7,416 for a training course she never started. Her legal defence asserts that the Institute has sued despite having botched her direct debit payments and then refusing her course entry because she hadn’t paid.

10 August 2009: Landmark Case – Consumer Action to represent consumer stung by Kleenmaid collapse.

Consumer Action Law Centre is representing a couple who lost over nine thousand dollars in the high profile collapse of Kleenmaid Pty Ltd earlier this year, against the loan company that financed their purchase. The matter will be heard today at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

29 July 2009: People Power: Nab Ditches Penalty Fees
CHOICE and Consumer Action celebrate consumer victory

Consumer advocates CHOICE and the Consumer Action Law Centre congratulate the National Australia Bank for showing leadership and scrapping unfair penalty fees for customers who overdraw or incur dishonours on their transaction accounts. The other banks must now follow suit and abolish their unfair penalty fees - not just on transaction and savings accounts, as the NAB announced today - but also on credit cards.

6 July 2009: TLC continues to break Victorian hearts and the bank

Consumer Action Law Centre has today launched a legal action on behalf of a vulnerable Victorian man against TLC Consulting Services Pty Ltd an introduction agent permanently restrained from carrying on an introduction business in Queensland but still allowed to operate in Victoria.

Please refer to this link for the latest release on this case – it includes an update on the VCAT decision in this matter.
3 July 2009: Company collects unclaimed money for consumer and keeps for itself

Consumer Action Law Centre is representing a man who is suing Collection Point Pty Ltd, a company that offers “money retrieval” services, for retaining 25% of the unclaimed superannuation funds he was entitled to obtain for free.

Read the second media release on this case here.

26 June 2009: Ordinary Melbourne households at risk from huge water price rises

The Consumer Action Law Centre and the Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre today said the Essential Services Commission’s final decision to allow steep price rises for Melbourne water bills, especially in the first two years, would leave many consumers at risk of financial hardship.

17 June 2009: Small debt in a Bigpond – pensioner to lose home in bankruptcy over a $1000 Telstra Internet bill

Consumer Action Law Centre has begun acting for a 60 year old pensioner who has sought help after being bankrupted for what started as a Telstra Internet services bill for less than $1,000. Nicole Rich, Director – Policy & Campaigns, said it was sickening that Australia’s bankruptcy laws still allowed a creditor to bankrupt a person and take their home over such a small debt, and that some debt collectors actually resorted to such tactics.

1 June 2009: Combined Financial pain – broker stitches up low income client

Consumer Action Law Centre has launched legal action against finance broking firm Combined Financial Services Australia Pty Ltd on behalf of a low income client alleging she was up-sold a loan that she could not afford and which led to the loss of her home.

22 May 2009: Rogue broker not so affordable

Consumer Action Law Centre has launched legal action against finance broker Affordable Home Loans and Mortgage Advice Pty Ltd and its director, William Curry, on behalf of a client alleging the broker has unlawfully charged her a brokerage fee and unfairly placed a caveat over her home to secure payment.

22 May 2009: Very Long Odds – elderly pensioner pressured by horse race tipsters

Consumer Action Law Centre has warned Victorians to be wary of services offering horserace betting tips, after launching legal action against two companies involved in selling a betting system. The companies are Prosperity Wealth Creation Pty Ltd (formerly trading as Red Back Gaming Pty Ltd) and Australian Tipping Service Pty Ltd (formerly trading as Track Whispers Pty Ltd).

21 May 2009: $1 billion bank penalty fee income stream finally revealed

Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the release of today’s annual banking fee bulletin by the Reserve Bank of Australia, which reveals for the first time that Australian banks reaped over $1 billion in penalty fees over the past year.

15 May 2009: Debt collector to bankrupt consumer over NAB credit card debt

Consumer Action Law Centre is defending a client against an attempt to send her bankrupt over a small National Australia Bank credit card debt which the NAB sold to a debt collector. Nicole Rich, Director – Policy & Campaigns, said that it was shocking bankruptcy laws still allowed consumers to be made bankrupt over $2,000 credit card debts, putting the family home at risk, especially when the Government knew about the problem and could easily act to fix it.

30 April 2009: National energy retail laws released today “light on” for Victorian household protections

Consumer Action Law Centre has warned that Victorians will be the biggest losers out of the new national energy laws released today. The new national energy retail laws released by the Federal and State Governments will replace the current Victorian laws that regulate how energy companies must deal with customers with watered down obligations and represent a serious reduction in household rights in dealing with their utility retailers, at a time when energy prices are rising significantly.

27 April 2009: National consumer credit laws welcome but loopholes must be closed

Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed today’s release of the proposed national consumer credit laws by the Federal Government, but has warned that while the intention behind the laws is good, there are serious flaws in the Bill that must be addressed or consumers will continue to remain vulnerable to unfair and irresponsible lending practices.

24 April 2009: All you need is love..and $22,000 - Love Search Intros accused of swindling diabetic pensioner.

Consumer Action Law Centre has issued legal action against introduction agency R & H Consulting, trading as Love Search Intros on behalf of a client. The action alleges unconscionable conduct, misleading and deceptive conduct and breaches of the Victorian Introduction Agents Act (1997).

23 April 2009: NAB fails to assist client despite banks agreeing to help people in financial hardship

Consumer Action Law Centre has taken legal action against the National Australia Bank on behalf of a consumer in financial difficulties alleging the bank ignored all approaches to try to resolve her debt problems despite its public pledges to work with customers in genuine hardship.

21 April 2009: Water bills price reprieve welcomed by consumer groups

The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action) and the Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre (CUAC) today welcomed the Essential Services Commission’s draft decision to cut the price rises for Melbourne water bills proposed by the three Melbourne water retail businesses.

17 April 2009: Car buyers warned to say no to Motor Finance Wizard tricks

Consumer Action Law Centre has again issued legal proceedings against motor car trader, DGTV1 which trades as Motor Finance Wizard, and its related finance arm, Kwik Finance, on behalf of a consumer signed up to pay a hugely inflated price for a car. Consumer Action is also warning that it appears the company’s new car contracts are specifically designed to get around new laws aimed at stopping it from ripping off consumers, by introducing a leasing arrangement instead of a loan as was previously the case.

2 April 2009: Education Service has ‘mental blank’ when offering ‘VCE Success’ course.

Consumer Action Law Centre has issued legal action against education course provider Mental Blank Pty Ltd. on behalf of a client. The action alleges breach of contract for failure to deliver promised goods and services.

13 March 2009: Debt collector ACMS sued for harassment and coercion

Consumer Action has issued a legal action on behalf of a client seeking compensation, punitive damages and an order restraining debt collector Accounts Control Management Services (ACMS) from continuing to make direct contact with the consumer, a woman on a full-time carer’s pension.

25 February 2009: Call for community to have their say on direct debits

Consumer Action is calling for members of the public to tell their stories about using direct debits. Direct debits are automatic payments deducted from a person’s bank account or credit card at regular intervals. They are commonly used for managing bill payments, instead of consumers having to remember and manually pay regular bills. Xan Colman, Senior Policy Officer at Consumer Action, said that direct debit arrangements can be a convenient tool to help consumers manage regular bills but they can also come with expensive pitfalls.

23 February 2009: Bushfire victims have rights when dealing with lenders

Consumer Action Law Centre has welcomed the response of many banks and other lenders to the plight of Victorian bushfire victims, but has advised that people affected by the fires may also have additional rights in arranging a suitable hardship variation with their lenders on existing loan contracts.

20 February 2009: Citibank lacks compassion for client after taking legal action for $10,000 debt

Consumer Action Law Centre has taken legal action to defend a struggling single parent hit by personal tragedy and the current financial crisis against Citibank for a $10,000 credit card debt.

17 February 2009: Consumer Action welcomes fast-tracking of new consumer laws

Consumer Action Law Centre today welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement that it will fast track crucial law reforms to protect consumers from unfair contract terms and to give the consumer regulator more flexible and modern enforcement powers. Catriona Lowe, Consumer Action co-CEO, said that the new laws would bring Australia closer to world’s best practice in consumer law and policy.

13 February 2009: Amazing Loans Never Cease To Amaze With Poor Lending Practices

Consumer Action Law Centre has once again initiated legal action against Amazing Loans on behalf of a client. The action alleges unconscionability in relation to the fees and interest charged.

23 January 2009: RHG mortgage exit fees test case settles

Consumer Action has today announced that the test case legal action against RHG Mortgage Corporation (formerly RAMS Mortgage Corporation) on behalf of Ms Emily Hamilton has settled on confidential terms.

16 December 2008: ‘It’s not you, It’s Us' – Introduction Agency Breaks More than Hearts

Consumer Action Law Centre has today launched legal action on behalf of a client, a vulnerable Victorian man with an acquired brain injury. Our client seeks a refund of more than $10,000 paid to an introductory agency that has been permanently restrained from carrying on an introduction business in Queensland.

16 December 2008: Care Park Slugs Unsuspecting Springvale Driver

Consumer Action Law Centre has initiated legal action on behalf of a consumer against Care Park, a private car park operator. The action seeks to challenge a charge imposed on him at Springvale Shopping Centre last year. The client also alleges that he was unaware he had parked in a Care Park carpark due to inadequate signage.

9 December 2008:Educational Software Company Discounting the Truth to make Sales

The Consumer Action Law Centre is taking legal action against A.I.M. (Melb) Pty Ltd (now National Dealer Network Pty Ltd) on behalf of a disability pensioner from a non-English speaking background, alleging high pressure selling of Maths and English software and tutoring services.

8 December 2008: Consumer Action launches test case against mortgage exit fees

Consumer Action Law Centre has today initiated a test case legal action against RHG Mortgage Corporation (formerly RAMS Mortgage Corporation) on behalf of Ms Emily Hamilton. Ms Hamilton faces an excessive early termination fee to switch her home loan, despite RHG imposing interest rate rises well in excess of the Reserve Bank’s (RBA) headline rate and the market.

2 December 2008: Educational software company targets parents in their homes

Consumer Action Law Centre has instituted legal proceedings against Advanced Education Resources, a seller of mathematical education software, for taking advantage of a non-English speaking widow who wanted to provide for her daughter’s education.

19 October 2008: Energy information campaign a start but won’t stop massive marketing problems

Consumer Action Law Centre today said the Victorian Government’s new energy information campaign was a good initiative but did not address the upcoming removal of price regulation or the serious marketing problems affecting Victorians.

6 November 2008: New lawsuit claims not-so-Amazing Loans exploited consumer with exorbitant fees

Consumer Action is calling on the Federal Government, through its proposed new consumer credit laws, to prohibit payday and other fringe lenders from charging exploitative fees for small loans after they initiated legal action today against Amazing Loans on behalf of a client who was required to repay a total of $7,835.36 for a $3,000 car loan, thanks mainly to an exorbitant loan advance and administration fee.

15 October 2008: Call to end penalty fees on basic bank accounts: Consumer groups want reform from CBA & ANZ

CHOICE and Consumer Action are calling on the Commonwealth Bank and the ANZ banks to stop gouging low-income earners through unfair penalty fees on their concession accounts. CBA and ANZ continue to charge penalty fees on concession accounts, also known as basic bank accounts, which offer reduced-fee banking to recipients of government benefits, such as pensioners and other concession card holders. People on low and fixed incomes are hit hard by unfair bank penalty fees, which can quickly swallow a large chunk of a limited income.

14 October 2008: Major bank outsources its responsibility for hardship to notorious debt collector

The National Australia Bank has been selling off the credit card debt owed by customers, some in genuine financial difficulties, to Accounts Control Management Services (ACMS), a debt collector well-known to community workers and financial counsellors for its refusal to negotiate repayment plans and other unscrupulous tactics.

12 October 2008: Time for government to put home equity out of risk over small debts

Consumer Action Law Centre has today called on the Federal Government to make the simple law change needed to put a stop to unfair bankruptcy actions that strip home equity. Gerard Brody, Deputy Director – Policy & Campaigns at Consumer Action, said that out-of-date bankruptcy laws allowed a person to be made bankrupt for as little as $2,000 putting people’s homes at risk for what often start off as small debts the person may not even be aware of.

6 October 2008: Time for Governments to close reckless lending loophole

Consumer Action Law Centre has today issued legal proceedings against a fringe lender that exploits loopholes in the law to take advantage of vulnerable consumers.

22 September 2008: Dodgy First Choice betting software scam should be your last choice

Consumer Action has warned Victorians to beware of computer betting software spruiker First Global Pty Ltd (trading as First Choice), after it today issued legal proceedings against the company.

17 September 2008: Bank fees unfair but no action from the senate

CHOICE and the Consumer Action Law Centre say they are extremely disappointed with the Senate Economics Committee’s failure to recommend new laws to protect consumers from unfair bank penalty fees.

12 September 2008: Consumer Action “king-hits” unlicensed motor car trader

Consumer Action has issued two legal proceedings against a Brunswick businessman alleging he is selling poor quality motor vehicles to consumers without a licence. Consumer Action is acting on behalf of two separate clients who each bought cars from Mr Richard King outside his business premises at 51 Weston Street, Brunswick. Both of our clients sought our help after they bought cars from Mr King which broke down within days of the sale.

15 August 2008: Australian report exposes psychological tricks used to market credit card limit increases

A landmark report released today by the Consumer Action Law Centre has exposed the different psychological manipulations used by banks and other lenders to persuade people to take up offers for higher credit card limits.

11 August 2008: Consumer Action welcomes privacy report’s fair and sensible approach to credit reporting and privacy reform

Consumer Action Law Centre today welcomed the recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission’s report into Australia’s privacy laws and practice. But it warned the Australian Government to remain on guard, because lenders and credit reporting agencies were unlikely to abandon their push to reduce privacy protections for individuals in order to increase their profits.

7 August 2008: Court attack launched on private car park’s “fines”

Consumer Action Law Centre has today instituted legal proceedings in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal against Australian National Car Parks Pty Ltd, the operator of a number of private car parks around Victoria that have been charging consumers hefty “fines” for failing to display valid tickets.

11 July 2008: VCAT orders spruiker of computer gambling software to refund consumer

Consumer Action Law Centre has today succeeded in obtaining a refund from a spruiker of computer gambling software at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Reliance Investment Services Pty Ltd, a company based in Queensland which sells computerised gambling software under the guise of an investment product, was ordered to refund a Coburg resident $6,215 within 30 days.

10 July 2008: Consumer Action seeks orders against spruiker of online gambling software

Consumer Action Law Centre has instituted legal proceedings in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal against Reliance Investment Services Pty Ltd, a spruiker of computer gambling software.

28 June 2008: Consumers Launch National Day of Action against Motor Finance Wizard

Consumer Action Law Centre is leading a campaign against unfair practices of motor car traders. Almost a quarter of all Consumer Action’s complaints about motor car traders and related finance over the last 12 months relate to one business – Motor Finance Wizard. Consumer advocates will be campaigning against the unfair practices of Motor Finance Wizard in three cities on 28 June 2008.

5 June 2008: Consumer Action launches litigation against Motor Finance Wizard

Consumer Action Law Centre has issued proceedings against Motor Finance Wizard (Melbourne Sales) Pty Ltd (“Motor Finance Wizard”) and Kwik Finance (Melb) Pty Ltd (“Kwik Finance”) in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on behalf of sole parent Ms Suzana Dominik.

29 May 2008: Consumer Action seeks orders against Australian Institute of Mathematics and Lombard Finance

Consumer Action Law Centre has instituted legal proceedings in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal against Addsup Education trading as Australian Institute of Mathematics Victoria and Lombard Finance for breaches of the Fair Trading Act 1999 (Vic) on behalf of vulnerable consumers.

15 May 2008: Consumer win with unfair DebitSuccess contract

Consumer Action has obtained a favourable outcome for its client, a mother of two young children, who purchased self defence classes for her children from Albion Self Defence Academy using a DebitSuccess direct debit contract. The consumer was being pursued by DebitSuccess for a debt of almost $1,500 for classes that were not provided.

9 April 2008: Consumer Action alleges Debit Success contract contains unfair terms

Consumer Action has launched litigation in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal against Debit Success (a company that organises direct debit agreements) and the Albion Self Defence Academy. We are arguing that a term of the contract that requires a consumer to pay for 12 months of self defence classes that were never used is unfair pursuant to the unfair contract term provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1999.

28 April 2008: Regional Water customers on drip feed, says Consumer Action

Consumer Action Law Centre has slammed a number of Victorian regional water businesses for unfairly restricting the water supply of consumers and initiating legal action in relation to small debts.

15 March 2008: Consumer Action puts traders and governments on notice

Consumer Action Law Centre has publicly released its Policy Plan 2008. The Policy Plan sets out Consumer Action’s priority campaigns, putting traders and governments on notice about what it wants for consumers.

1 March 2008: Consumer Action calls on car parks to be fair

Consumer Action Law Centre has written to two operators of private car parks in Melbourne seeking a review of their business practices and the installation of barriers so that consumers are not fined unfairly when they forget to obtain tickets.

29 February 2008: Finance broker flouts court orders

Consumer Action Law Centre has claimed that a finance broker Sample & Partners is flouting Federal Court orders.

22 February 2008: Customers to bear costs for energy retailer failure

Consumer Action Law Centre has labelled the decision by the Essential Services Commission to charge consumers should their retailer go bankrupt or leave the market as outrageous and unfair.

14 February 2008: Grocery unit pricing can help consumers deal with inflation

Consumer Action has today called on the Federal Government to legislate for mandatory unit pricing in Australian supermarkets, to help Australian consumers deal with increasing cost of groceries.

30 November 2007: Consumers challenge basis for rising energy prices

Victorian consumers will be hit by huge energy price increases from 1 January 2008 but without any public information about the basis for these price rises, said Consumer Action Law Centre today.

15 November 2007: Don't harass us, says consumers

Consumer Action Law Centre has today launched a campaign to assist consumers to avoid door-to-door marketers if they wish to do so. The campaign will distribute a Do Not Knock sticker, which warns sales representatives that they are in breach of the law if they knock on a door to which the sticker is affixed.

11 May 2007: Time well overdue for banks to cut their excessive penalty fees

Consumer Action Law Centre has written to the Australian Bankers Association and Abacus - Australian Mutuals demanding that banks, credit unions and building societies put a stop to penalty fees that impose unfair charges on consumers. The letters, sent jointly with CHOICE, are the latest salvo in the two consumer groups' campaign to stop the charging of unfair, excessive and unlawful penalty fees to Australian consumers.

17 September 2007: Consumer Action welcomes a Parliamentary investigation into mortgage lending

Consumer Action has welcomed the recommendations to reform credit regulation, released today by the House of Representatives Economic, Finance and Public Administration Committee into Home Loan Lending.

4 September 2007:More Penalty fees cut as campaign gains momentum

CHOICE and Consumer Action have welcomed NAB’s announcement today it will cut direct debit dishonour fees from $50 to $30 and will launch a new mainstream transaction account that allows consumers to avoid bank penalty fees altogether.

13 August 2007: Water businesses not talking to customers, says consumer report

Consumer Action Law Centre has publicly released a report asserting that Victorian water businesses are not talking to their customers. The report, Water Reform in Victoria: Independent pricing regulation and its outcome for consumers, demonstrates that water businesses are not adequately consulting with their customers when setting prices for water.

19 June 2007: Nationwide campaign targets unfair bank penalty fees

Financial institutions are bracing themselves for a customer backlash against unfair penalty fees, after a nationwide campaign was launched today by CHOICE and Consumer Action Law Centre. Thousands of irate customers are expected to join the campaign demanding the immediate refund of penalty fees.

17 April 2007: Appalling delays in handling privacy complaints are no secret

Consumer Action today revealed that it had been waiting almost a year for the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner to respond to two representative complaints about credit reporting that are thought to affect at least half a million Australians.

27 March 2007: Consumer Action supports Affordable Housing campaign

Consumer Action has announced its support for the Australians for Affordable Housing campaign launched today, saying it is rightly focussing on one of the biggest problems facing Australian families - the housing crisis.

28 February 2007: Consumer Action puts traders and government on notice

Unfair, excessive and unlawful bank penalty fees, reckless lending and dodgy motor car trading will all be put under the blow-torch this year, according to plans released today by the Consumer Action Law Centre.

19 February 2007: Warrnambool warned of Reverse Mortgages

Reverse mortgages have become popular with Warrnambool residents but there are some serious risks to watch out for, the Consumer Action Law Centre warned today.

18 August 2006: Consumers warned of Home Show Traps

CLCV & CCLS warned consumers at The Melbourne Home Show against getting caught out by high pressure selling tactics, and signing up to high-interest contracts with finance companies.

20 April 2006: Water businesses need to do more to help customers in hardship

Water businesses need to do more to help their customers experiencing hardship, to ensure Victorian consumers are not cut off from essential access to water, according to a new report launched by the CLCV.

13 February 2006: Electricity Reform in Victoria - Outcomes for Consumers

Poor and country consumers fare worse from Victoria’s privatisation of electricity than their city and big business counterparts on almost every measure considered in a new report by the Consumer Law Centre Victoria and Monash University’s Centre for the Study of Privatisation and Public Accountability.