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 14, 2023
Australians are bombarded with claims about green and sustainable features of products and services. Marketers and businesses are trying to tap into a growing desire of many Australians to actively look after people and planet. Yet the nature of many green claims means that consumers cannot verify them—they are left hoping that businesses are doing the right thing and following through on their sustainable promises.
November 7, 2024
This Briefing Note outlines the key findings of Stage B of a three-stage research study, exploring the experiences, perceptions, and behaviours of Australian consumers in relation to purchasing large household appliances in the context of a cost of living crisis and rising energy bills. We investigated consumer financial constraints and expectations for appliance energy-efficiency, durability, perspectives of repairability, and understanding of consumer rights.
November 7, 2024
This submission brings together evidence showing the challenges that consumers have in finding good quality products and then repairing those products if something goes wrong
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.
January 15, 2024
Many Australian consumers want to make purchases that support good environmental outcomes. However, it can be far too hard to identify what businesses are taking genuine environmental action. The Climate Active program can help organisations understand and reduce their carbon emissions, but it also plays an important role in providing information to consumers.
March 22, 2024
For the electric vehicle market to work well for all Australians, there need to be easy ways to have problems with faulty cars fixed and clear penalties for companies that fail to repeatedly offer repairs, refunds or replacements as required under Australian Consumer Law (ACL). Our research shows that complaints handling is not working effectively for people with faulty Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles and there is a high risk that existing processes will also poorly serve people with EVs.
December 1, 2023
This joint submission between CPRC and Super Consumers broadly supports the Treasury’s initiatives to engage the investment and finance sectors in the transition towards a more sustainable economy. However, a sustainable finance regulatory framework should not only work for consumers by preventing inherently deceptive ‘green’ claims, but also provide meaningful information about the genuine sustainability features of investment products.
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
July 23, 2021
CPRC’s submission on the Productivity Commissions draft Right to Repair report supports the proposed recommendations. However, we consider the recommendations in current form are piecemeal and lack a relevant underpinning economic framework necessary to develop a holistic regime to tackle the range of overlapping issues.
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