Access to credit provided by online sports betting companies, as well as inadequate mechanisms for limiting losses, is fuelling a dangerous increase in online sports betting and problem gambling according to a report released today by Financial Counselling Australia. Launched by Senator Nick Xenophon, (read his media release here) the report, ‘Duds,…
8th June 2015 - The national peak body for financial counsellors, Financial Counselling Australia, urges the WA Government to reverse funding cuts that will see the closure of ALL state-funded financial counselling services in the Perth metropolitan area. This sudden and shocking decision was notified to financial counselling agencies, funded through…
1st April 2015 - The latest survey of financial counsellors assessing how well banks are dealing with customers in financial hardship, Rank the Banks, has seen improvements across-the-board. The improvements were evident for the big four banks, the smaller banks and GE. “We are really encouraged by the survey results,”…
25th February 2015 - Financial Counselling Australia welcomes today's announcment by the Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce that funding for the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) will continue at current levels. A review of the RFCS had recommended an across-the-board reduction in funding of 20%. Recognising the continuing drought and…
9th February 2015 - Key Points The FCA Conference 18th – 20th May, 2015 in Canberra will go ahead. FCA’s funding has been continued until 30th June 2015, but ongoing funding remains uncertain. The financial counselling sector itself has endured a tumultuous and difficult time for well over 12 months, initially due…
27th January 2015 - Financial Counselling Australia has today released its 2013-14 Annual Report. FCA’s Chair, Carmel Franklin, notes that just one issue dominated the year: funding. As we began the year, it was very uncertain as to whether the Government would continue the Commonwealth Financial Counselling Program. We were…
12/01/2015 12th January 2015 - The Financial Counsellors Association of Queensland has today called on all political parties to commit to funding a dedicated financial counselling program in Queensland. Queensland is the only State or Territory in Australia that does not fund a financial counselling program. Financial counsellors, who work in…
23rd December 2014 - A number of financial counsellors and other stakeholders have contacted FCA asking us about our funding position. We think it is important that we respond to those concerns. At date, the best we can say is that the position remains uncertain and that we hope to…
16th December 2014 - Financial Counselling Australia has welcomed ‘Dealing with debt collectors: Your rights and responsibilities', released by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission last week. The overwhelming majority of consumers want to pay their debts, but unfortunately some people, often due to a…
15 December 2014 - Community organisations today have welcomed AGL Energy Limited’s (AGL) $6m commitment to provide greater support for vulnerable energy customers. Brotherhood of St Laurence, Financial Counselling Australia, Kildonan UnitingCare, Queensland Council of Social Service, Public Interest Advocacy Centre, South Australia Council of Social Service and St Vincent…