Policy
Engaged in multiple sectors, our team conducts rigorous consumer and policy research to uncover market failures and consumer harm. We actively collaborate with partners, leveraging national and international perspectives to identify and understand issues within markets. By openly sharing insights, we contribute to the creation of impactful policy solutions, fostering momentum for positive change and advocating for consumer welfare.
October 12, 2018
CPRC continues to highlight the benefit and need for the implementation of economy-wide reforms in Australia alongside the introduction of the CDR.
October 12, 2018
CPRC holds the view that the CDR should be renamed to the Data Portability/Transfer Right to more accurately reflect its functions; There is a signficant need for a whole-of-government approach to economy-wide data protection reform to address the risk of CDR data leakage outside the system; CDR data should be prevented from transfers to non-accredited third parties in the absence of reform to economy-wide data protection; Privacy by Design be embedded in the legislation by ensuring redundant data is deleted by default; Consumers should be provided with their CDR information for free without restrictions; Consumers should have access to profiling information/categories/scores observed or generated relating to them, and not limited to just accessing information that we observed or provided by the person; and, Legislating CDR participants to participate in a centralised dashboard would greatly assist consumers in managing their consent and data portability over time and especially as new sectors are brought into the CDR system.
October 2, 2018
CPRC welcomes the introduction of the best offer entitlement to ensure consumers receive timely, simple information about alternative available products.
October 2, 2018
Consumer data is a central research priority for CPRC due to the rapidly growing online marketplace, early adoption of digital technology by Australians, and the emerging benefits and risks to consumers of big data amalgamation.
September 27, 2018
In this submission, CPRC provides an exploration of gender impacts of privacy as it relates to consumers. Australia is going through a period of significant policy reform relating to data including and not limited to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2018 Data Sharing & Release Bill, and Digital Platform Inquiry. Therefore, it is opportune to reflect on privacy protection in Australia, in the context of an evolving global digital economy and international data protection laws, and the impact this may have on consumers.
September 7, 2018
It is CPRC’s view that the CDR is a positive reform in the sense that it may – with appropriate protections – provide consumers with improved access to their data and give them power to direct the transfer of their data to a nominated accredited third-party.
August 8, 2018
As a general observation in relation to current policy issues explored in this consultation, CPRC notes the current lack of consideration in the Issues Paper of the appropriate notice and consent standards for data sharing between entities, particularly if the data is identifiable or includes personal information of consumers of government services.
July 20, 2018
CPRC broadly supports many of the recommendations outlined by the Productivity Commission, particularly with regard to improving the conditions for consumer choice and decision-making in what is a particularly complex market. We strongly endorse the Productivity Commission’s consideration of the behavioural economics literature and position on rigorous consumer research and outcomes measurement.
April 17, 2018
CPRC supports reforms to increase consumer comprehension, comparability and switching. As is the case with many reforms aimed at changing consumer experience and behaviour, monitoring of the information, tools and platforms consumers access to support informed decision-making and the outcomes of these changes should be ongoing.
April 5, 2018
CPRC notes that this Inquiry and cited data practices are not occurring in isolation. One of the most significant challenges of data amalgamation and the impact on competition is that the collection, sharing and use of data is not happening within any one sector, but multiple at the same time. It is therefore important to consider not only the issues associated with genuine consent and control over collection of data but also the sharing and use – by who and for what purpose.
March 26, 2018
We take the view that there has not been an authoritative, comprehensive review of retail competition in Victoria, nor is there currently enough evidence available to determine if retail competition has delivered improved efficiency and benefits in the long-term interests of consumers. Vulnerable and low income consumers, in particular, experience significant barriers to their effective participation and the realisation of benefits.
March 16, 2018
CPRC broadly supports the steps taken by the AER to increase consumer comprehension, comparability and switching through the development of the Retail Pricing Information Guidelines. Developing a regulatory and policy environment which is iterative and informed by ongoing consumer research will ultimately assist in delivery of evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes from consumer engagement through time.
