Koorihelp Consumer Action

27/05/2026

Today marks the first day of Reconciliation Week. It also marks the last day and the final leg of Uncle Travis Lovett's Walk For Truth to the Parliament House Canberra!!

You can tune in to the live stream on 2 different channels at 11AM this morning. Show your support and sign the open letter to the Prime Minister to support the Walk for Truth's message/goal in calling for Truth-Telling.

Watch Live TODAY (Wednesday 27 May) from 11am, as The National Walk for Truth arrives at Parliament House, Canberra.

Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man Travis Lovett has walked over 840km from Narrm/Melbourne to Canberra and thousands have walked alongside him, shining a light on the urgent call for a national truth-telling process with First Peoples.

As Travis arrives at Parliament House, it’s time to show the depth of support for truth-telling across this country.

📲 Tune in to our Youtube Live from Parliament House from 11AM (or on Instagram with Clothing The Gaps)

✍🏾 Sign the open letter to the Prime Minister calling for Truth-Telling: www.walkfortruth.com/pledge
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service - VALS Financial Counselling Australia National Debt Helpline Djirra

26/05/2026

BRAVO! Consumer Action strongly supports ASIC Connect's action to appeal the decision by the Federal Court to fine Cigno director Mark Swanepoel, and BSF Solutions and its director Brenton Harrison, $7 million in civil penalties, because it is concerned the penalties imposed provide insufficient deterrence.
The lending model operated by the companies and their directors charged consumers more than $90 million in unlawful fees, and ASIC believes the Respondents’ decision to operate the lending model without a license denied consumers important rights and protections under the credit legislation. The Respondents have not engaged in any remediation program to address the consumer harm caused by charging the unlawful fees.
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service - VALS Djirra Financial Counselling Australia National Debt Helpline

Fair, strong and efficient financial system for all Australians.

25/05/2026

GOOD NEWS: Energy prices in Victoria will be on average 5 per cent lower for homes and 6 per cent lower for small business customers in 2026-27. Consumer Action has been calling for a lower Victorian Default Offer (VDO), so thank you Lily D'Ambrosio MP Energy and Water Ombudsman (Victoria) (EWOV) Essential Services Commission Financial Counselling Australia

We have set the Victorian Default Offer prices to apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027

25/05/2026

For Consumer Action Law Centre lawyer Brigette Rose, who helped on Paw’s case, the issues of long delays and repeat offending dealerships are all too familiar.
“All the onus is on the consumer, to wait these long delays, to pay for and come up with specialist mechanics reports which often cost thousands of dollars, simply to get a car fixed that never worked in the first place,” she says.
Rose says states like Victoria should consider introducing a Motor Vehicle Ombudsman to regulate the industry and respond to complaints with a mandate to tackle systemic issues.
“We see it work with a lot of other sectors,” she says. Rose adds that any such body would also take a lot of pressure off the tribunal system, which clearly can’t keep up with complaints in a timely manner.
CHOICE Financial Counselling Australia

Consumers like Paw have had to spend years fighting with dodgy dealers. Advocates say we need a total overhaul of the way disputes are handled.

29/04/2026

Crypto ATMs BANNED in CANADA! Why are we waiting Chris Bowen MP Daniel Mulino Andrew Leigh MP
Canada has just announced a ban on crypto ATMs. Nearly 4,000 machines. Most per capita in the world and until today, almost no industry-specific regulation. Australia should ban this vector for cyber and scam-crime NOW! CHOICE ACCAN

The federal government announced it’s planning to ban crypto ATMs in order to protect Canadians from scammers using the machines to defraud victims.

29/04/2026

Speaking at the launch of Consumer Action’s consumer-centric priorities for the Victorian State Election in November, Ms Tonkin said whoever forms the next Government’s has “to make life better” especially for people in difficult circumstances.
The next Government, with the Essential Services Commission, should implement meaningful measures to shift the dial on Victorians’ energy poverty as assistance provided under the Utility Relief Grant Scheme is no longer adequate and not available to many who are doing it tough.
“I’m calling for the grant to be increased to $4000 to reflect the rising cost of energy and eligibility rules relaxed to ensure more Victorians benefit,” she said. “Victoria can also lead on scams – a Victorian strategy and pathways to support for victims will support better consumer outcomes and disruption efforts.
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service - VALS Financial Counselling Australia National Debt Helpline Djirra

LAUNCH of Consumer Action's 2026 Victorian Election Platform

29/04/2026

"HSBC fought tooth and nail...defending claims at AFCA... an absolute denial of responsibility, they took months and months to investigate and would come back and say (to customers) 'it's your fault'", says Stephanie Tonkin, CEO, Consumer Action Law Centre.
Financial Counselling Australia National Debt Helpline ACCAN CHOICE ABC Radio National

The Law Report speaks to victims who are calling for the banking giant to compensate them, and asks, how effective are Australian laws in dealing with sophisticated scams?

28/04/2026

BEEN RIPPED OFF by Cigno or helping someone who has? We've UPDATED our online tools to stop them hassling you, and help you ask for a REFUND of fees! FRESH have info for financial counsellors and community lawyers helping clients. Take a look.
Financial Counselling Australia Financial Counselling Victoria - FCVic National Debt Helpline

A Cigno loan looks like easy cash, but it is actually very expensive. Cigno does not hold a licence to lend money, and it has been fined and banned multiple times for making unsuitable loans.

27/04/2026

Money3 FINE: Will this $1.5 million slap on the wrist deter egregious behaviour? An open question...
ASIC Connect Financial Counselling Australia National Debt Helpline

Fair, strong and efficient financial system for all Australians.

27/04/2026

Victorian State Election 2026 “Cost‑of‑living pressures are hitting Victorian households so hard, and every day we hear from people struggling with debt as the price of housing, food, energy and other essentials keeps rising,” Ms Tonkin said.
“These are the core bread and butter issues that will decide the upcoming State Election in November, and the drivers of widespread anxiety on our Victorian frontline services” she said.

A strong plan built on fairness for Victorians to weather day-to-day cost-of-living pressures will decide the upcoming Victorian State Election, says Consumer Action Law Centre CEO, Stephanie Tonkin. “Cost‑of‑living pressures are hitting Victorian households so hard, and every day we hear from...

27/04/2026

Kirsty Robson, a senior financial counsellor from the Consumer Action Law Centre, says more people are calling the National Debt Helpline due to anxiety about their future, when traditionally they would only seek help after suffering a financial event such as a job loss.
“Mortgages are now the top presenting issue,” Robson says.
“People have very future-focused anxiety because they are unsure how they will afford to pay for things.
“They are panicking, and perhaps rightly so, about how they’re going to manage in a couple of months’ time because they are reaching their financial capacity now.”
The Guardian Financial Counselling Australia