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.
June 7, 2024
Australia has a major gap in its consumer law compared to the EU – in Australia there is no ban on unfair business practices.1 The EU has had a ban on unfair practices since 2005, allowing it to stop instances where companies treat customers unfairly, beyond misleading or lying to them.
April 15, 2024
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) inquiry into supermarkets in Australia is a welcome opportunity to uncover the specific practices that supermarkets undertake that harm consumers and competitive markets.
March 20, 2024
In this submission we discuss how elements of AANA’s commendable green code could be strengthened. The key issues we focus on include the need for consumers to have meaningful information to be able to make direct comparisons about the products and services being advertised to them, through setting specific expectations of advertisers with respect to communicating supporting evidence to consumers. We outline extensive problems with trustmarks and self-certification schemes, the influence of imagery, and vague and obscure language in advertising featuring green claims.
December 23, 2023
A designated complaints function recognises the value of complaints from organisations with strong connections to communities, who are able to identify consumer issues at an early stage. This submission outlines minor changes to the draft legislation and a suggested approach to designated complaints to get the best outcome from the new power:
November 28, 2023
An economy-wide prohibition on unfair trade practices is a vital addition to Australia’s consumer laws. There are a range of practices that cause consumer harm, and are detrimental to the competitive process, that are not currently unlawful. These practices have become more prevalent with the widespread uptake of online commerce, while also existing in the offline world.
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.
December 20, 2023
Briefing note: Creating a fair, safe and sustainable tomorrow. This briefing note reflects on some of the major issues that were discussed at the Congress relating to, consumers and the digital economy, consumers and sustainability, cost of living and its impact on food and product safety
