This is a joint consumer group submission to ACCC Supermarkets Inquiry on behalf of The Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA), CFA members CHOICE, Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Association (CPSA), Consumers SA, Financial Counselling Australia, Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network (ICAN) and Queensland Consumers Association.
Supermarkets inquiry 2024-25
Submission to: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
Related Projects
Response to the Centrepay Reform Discussion Paper
Submission to: The Australian Government Department of Social Services
Along with other consumer groups and charities, the financial counselling peak bodies have been highlighting significant issues with Centrepay for many years. The overriding concern is the harm caused by the misuse of Centrepay. There is a growing body of evidence showing the system can cause financial harm to vulnerable people. This submission has a series of recommendations based on the experiences of those working in our sector and answers to the questions outlined in the Centrepay Reform Discussion Paper, May 2024.
Along with other consumer groups and charities, the financial counselling peak bodies have been highlighting significant issues with Centrepay for many years. The overriding concern is the harm caused by the misuse of Centrepay. There is a growing body of evidence showing the system can cause financial harm to vulnerable people. This submission has a series of recommendations based on the experiences of those working in our sector and answers to the questions outlined in the Centrepay Reform Discussion Paper, May 2024.
Cost of Living
Submission to: Senate Select Committee on the Cost of Living
This submission describes the cost of living pressures facing people seeking financial counselling support, which is showing up in increasing demand for financial counselling. The rising cost of living has a disproportionate affect on people with the least economic resources. The submission recommends further increases in the rates of JobSeeker and pension payments to prevent poverty, reviewing the supermarket unit pricing code to help people make informed shopping choices, regulation of Buy Now, Pay Later providers and wage advance products under the credit laws, waiving of persistent credit card debts by financial institutions and adequate funding for financial counselling.
This submission describes the cost of living pressures facing people seeking financial counselling support, which is showing up in increasing demand for financial counselling. The rising cost of living has a disproportionate affect on people with the least economic resources. The submission recommends further increases in the rates of JobSeeker and pension payments to prevent poverty, reviewing the supermarket unit pricing code to help people make informed shopping choices, regulation of Buy Now, Pay Later providers and wage advance products under the credit laws, waiving of persistent credit card debts by financial institutions and adequate funding for financial counselling.