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.
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
June 2, 2021
CPRC’s submission outlines our position opposing the proposed default approach to joint accounts and raising questions about the proposed peer-to-peer structure for energy markets.
August 2, 2021
CPRC urges Treasury to heed the concerns of consumer organisations and take appropriate steps to mitigate risks to consumers through the development of these rules to achieve what was originally intended for Consumer Data Right (CDR) – giving consumers greater control over their data.
August 26, 2021
CPRC believes that while an economy-wide consumer data right strategy has the potential to bring benefits to all Australians, it’s development and implementation should be thoughtful and reflective of the needs of consumers. Appropriate steps need to be put into place to mitigate risks to consumers to achieve what was originally intended for Consumer Data Right (CDR) – giving consumers greater control over their data.
December 8, 2021
We urge the Government to prioritise and fast-track the review of the Privacy Act to address the increasing ubiquity of data collection, use and disclosure in the economy that goes beyond the scope of the specific industry sectors captured within the proposed OP Code.
January 10, 2022
CPRC welcomes the progress on the review of the Privacy Act. CPRC has a keen interest in how Australia’s privacy protection framework can be reformed so it offers modern, robust protections that ensure Australian consumers, and our overall society, are better off as the Fourth Industrial Revolution continues to gather momentum.
March 24, 2022
CPRC believes that the Productivity Commission should take a broader view of how to improve productivity, ensuring that benefits are spread evenly across all consumers. Applying a wellbeing approach to its inquiry and any recommendations to improve productivity in Australia will reduce consumer harms especially for people who experience vulnerability.
May 18, 2022
In its submission on the Statutory Review of the Consumer Data Right, CPRC recommends the Government to use the review to consider a set of measures to ensure a more consumer-centric implementation of CDR
November 7, 2022
CPRC generally supports the proposed amendments in Privacy Legislation Amendment (Enforcement and Other Measures) Bill 2022. Setting penalties at the right level will ensure that more businesses will seriously consider effective strategies to reduce the risk of data breaches. However, the proposed amendments to the legislation are still limited in scope and remain far from the privacy protections that Australians deserve and that consumers in other comparative jurisdictions have enjoyed for several years. In particular, CPRC asks the Federal Government to: amend the legislation so the regulator can consider penalties for all data breaches, not just when incidents are serious or repeated commission an independent review of the regulator to ensure it is adequately resourced to enforce these penalties, including undertaking proactive surveillance ensure the ongoing review of the Privacy Act includes safeguards on how data is collected, shared, and used by businesses.
May 20, 2022
Australia urgently needs an inclusive strategy for AI and Automated Decision-Making (ADM) that considers the interests of all citizens. The Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) suggests establishing a consumer-centric framework for innovation, resolving policy issues related to data protection, integrating cost-benefit analysis, enforcing a 'duty of care' for consumer data, overseeing emerging technologies, and providing clear consumer redress pathways to enhance consumer protection in the AI and ADM landscape.
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