|
|
|
21 December 2004 - Media ReleaseConsumers with little choice are forced to pay exorbitant bank penaltiesBank penalties will remain at exorbitant levels as the lack of competition in the banking sector fails to restrain them. In addition, a report has found that many penalties are very likely unconscionable. Consumers are provided with little information about the real costs of penalty fees of their own bank and even less of other banks. This makes it unlikely that Australians will shop around for a bank account with low default penalties. As a result there is no competitive pressure and banks can and are charging unfair and exorbitant penalties. The Consumer Law Society of Victoria today reported that it was unlikely that bank penalty fees would be enforceable at law. Penalties which are disproportionate, extravagant or exorbitant in comparison to the loss suffered by the banks, and penalties for defaults enforced when customers have no opportunity to negotiate, are both likely to be unconscionable. According to estimates, banks are charging cheque dishonour fees between 5 to 16 times the actual cost incurred by the bank and a massive 64 to 92 times what it costs them. Bank fees should be fair, transparent and equitable for all consumers. Penalty fees need to be publicly available, giving consumers the opportunity to shop around in order for competition to effectively restrain penalty fees at fair and commensurate levels. Labor calls on the Howard Government to act on behalf of consumers to ensure that banks are not profiteering on the back of exorbitant and unfair bank penalties. Contact: Taryn Langdon – 0417 148 059 or 02 6230 0411
15 December 2004 - Shop online safely this ChristmasMore Australians than ever before will be taking advantage of online shopping this Christmas/New Year.Although more Australians than ever are shopping online, there are some risks involved if the consumer is not wary. 3.3 million Australians (20% of Australians aged 14 years and over) used the Internet at home to purchase goods or services during September this year - a figure that is set to increase as more and more Australians go online to purchase gifts, services and travel over the holiday period. To manage the risks of purchasing travel, gifts and services online this Christmas holidays, there are some useful guidelines which if followed can ensure shoppers are not disappointed by their purchases.
Due to its size and the fast moving global nature of online business, online shoppers can be let down if they don’t seek the right information from the vendor in order to minimise risks. Following these guidelines ensures online shopping is safer - protecting Australians and ensuring they are not ripped off this Christmas. More information is available at www.accc.com.au. Contact: Adina Cirson - 0418 488 295 or 02 6277 3334
14 December 2004 - Media ReleaseBarnett behind the times on petrol probeTasmanian Liberal Senator Guy Barnett and his Coalition Government counterparts have finally heeded Labor’s call for an ACCC probe into petrol pricing, after over two weeks of ignoring the fact that consumers throughout Australia are paying too much for petrol. Labor first questioned bowser prices when it was noted that substantial savings made through large drops crude oil prices were not being passed on to consumers. After Australian consumers got no response from the Government, Labor asked the Government in Parliament, Last Friday, with a 32.5% decrease in the price of crude oil over 6 weeks and a drop in the Singapore benchmark by 24.5% over that period, and no savings passed on to consumers, Labor placed further pressure on the Howard Government, calling for them to Australian consumers and the opposition have been repeatedly ignored on the issue for over two weeks. Yesterday, Liberal backbencher, Senator Barnett, finally recognised that there is a problem and has joined Labor’s chorus supporting Labor’s call for a petrol price probe. Contact: Adina Cirson - 0418 488 295 or 02 6277 3334
7 December 2004 - Media ReleaseManufacturing sector in dire need of attentionAustralian Manufacturers have expressed the lowest level of business confidence of any major industry sector, citing finding quality staff as the major issue dominating the sector, as well as a growing number of firms sceptical about the state of the economy. The Manufacturing and Allied Services Index, prepared by Sensis and Australian Business Limited, released their quarterly survey results today which revealed:
Under the Howard Government we have seen a decline in the importance of manufacturing. The Industry Minister rarely mentions manufacturing – completely ignoring its critical role in a balanced modern economy and society. Under the Howard Government, we have watched manufacturing jobs disappear. Between 2000 and 2004, 50,000 jobs have been lost in manufacturing. We have witnessed manufacturing’s contribution to GDP decline, and exports of elaborately transformed manufacturers slow dramatically. The Howard Government has failed to do anything to address the massive skills shortages evident in the Manufacturing sector and today’s report is yet another report over many years that has identified skills shortages. Skill shortages are a key impediment to jobs growth and productivity growth and the Howard Government has neglected to address these chronic problems undermining Australia’s manufacturing capability. Contact: Adina Cirson - 0418 488 295 or 02 6277 3334 |
|
|
