Review of Retail Grocery Industry (Unit Pricing) Code of Conduct

Submission to: Australian Media and Communication Authority
The ACMA has released a draft Statement of Expectations for the telecommunications industry, inviting comment on the five priorities it contains. The aim of the Statement is to improve outcomes for consumers, particularly people who are vulnerable. Our submission notes that the very fact the Statement is necessary is symptomatic of broader problems with the telecommunications industry which in turn reflect the light touch regulatory framework. The submission argues that the Statement should be an enforceable regulatory instrument. Telecommunication companies need to address the barriers that mean people are not being treated fairly, including continuing problems with mis-selling and inadequate hardship processes.

Submission to: Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs
Joint submission from FCA and state and territory financial counselling peak bodies for the inquiry into the extent and nature of poverty in Australia. Poverty affects many financial counselling clients and our submission is based on these casework experiences. Due to ongoing structural issues, such as geography, stagnant or low wage growth, cost of living increases, insecure work and the erosion in the financial value of income support mechanisms, the face of poverty is changing. Unfortunately, as we know, inequality is increasing. The submission includes recommendations for the inquiry to consider across income support, universal basic income, housing affordability, consumer credit and funding for financial counselling services.