Rules Framework
The ACCC will be releasing a Rules Framework in the week commencing 10 September 2018.
Consumers
ACCC consultation on Rules Framework
The ACCC will be holding a number of stakeholder forums seeking input into the Rules Framework.
AFL & NRL clubs fix refunds and returns policies
Twenty-one Australian Football League (AFL) and National Rugby League (NRL) clubs have made changes to their returns and refunds policies in relation to merchandise sales following an investigation by the ACCC.
“The changes made by the AFL and NRL clubs in question follow a review of returns and refunds policies of various professional sporting clubs nationwide to check they were compliant with the Australian Consumer Law,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said.
Treasury draft bill consultation
The Government is seeking views on the exposure draft legislation for the Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2018 which will primarily amend the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 but will also consequentially amend the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010.
Almost two million deadly Takata airbags still in Australian cars
The ACCC has released comprehensive state-by-state data detailing recall rates for deadly Takata airbags, and the first data detailing progress made by various vehicle manufacturers in removing them from Australian cars.
The ACCC says one year since the ACCC started overseeing the Takata airbag recall,
1.8 million potentially deadly airbags still need replacing as part of a compulsory recall that will run until 2020.
Over the past 12 months, 1.1 million faulty Takata airbags have been replaced in around 930,000 vehicles.
Broadband speeds strong but improvements needed for some
The ACCC’s latest broadband speed data, released today, shows mainly pleasing, but some concerning, results. While most NBN fixed-line broadband customers are receiving relatively fast internet speeds, including during busy hours, which we strongly welcome, there is still an important number who are receiving poor service, including around 7% of consumers who receive less than half of the maximum speed of their plan.
ACCC win puts debt collectors on notice
The Federal Court has found one of Australia’s largest debt collection firms, ACM Group Ltd, engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct, harassment and coercion, and unconscionable conduct in its dealings with two vulnerable consumers.
ACM’s conduct was found to be in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law.
The ACCC brought the action against ACM in respect of its conduct between 2011 and 2015 in pursuing two vulnerable customers who had defaulted on their phone bills. Their debts had been on-sold by their service provider to ACM for debt recovery.
Broadband performance data - March 2018
Broadband performance data published in March 2018.
ACCC takes action against Europcar for excessive card payment surcharges
The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against CLA Trading Pty Ltd (trading as Europcar) for allegedly charging excessive credit and debit card payment surcharges, in breach of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
The ACCC alleges that Europcar customers who used Visa or MasterCard credit cards during July and August 2017 were charged fees above what it cost Europcar to accept those payments.