Latest news with #AustralianCompetitionandConsumerCommission
AU Financial Review
2 days ago
- Business
- AU Financial Review
‘Gotcha' regulators are hurting economy, ex-Treasury boss says
Aggressive corporate regulators are hurting the economy with a 'gotcha' approach against business, while their administrative red tape is stifling investment, says Martin Parkinson, former Treasury secretary turned company director. As a result, the Albanese government's efforts to cut regulation and boost business investment as part of its productivity agenda must extend to an urgent review of the behaviour of key regulators, such as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Parkinson said.
7NEWS
15-07-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Power bank warning: Anker and Baseus among chargers recently recalled as Singapore Airlines and Qantas issue bans
Experts warn they are 'playing catch-up' with new lithium batteries flooding the market as Australia's consumer watchdog issues a safety alert to any Australian buying the popular wireless chargers. A lack of regulation and soaring demand has contributed to a growing number of wireless power banks getting recalled, experts added. The competition watchdog warns 34,000 defective portable chargers are still being used by customers, after a surging number of recalls of the product. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued 17 different recalls of power banks since 2020, with more than half being made since 2024. Popular brands including Anker, Baseus and SnapWireless power banks were the most recent products to be recalled. Power banks are portable battery chargers designed to power devices on-the-go. They use rechargeable lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries that are highly flammable, can explode or vent toxic gas, the commission says. Product recalls for some of the bigger brands is a surprise for Chris Barnes, a senior project officer for consumer advocacy group Choice. 'You're always playing catch-up with new technologies, always having to implement specific new mandatory standards or a product ban to cover these sorts of situations,' he told AAP. 'Consumers should be able to trust that anything they buy through a reputable retailer is OK.' The uptick in recalls is being caused by more products on the market, a lack of regulation and differing materials inside the models, University of Melbourne head of chemical biomedical engineering Amanda Ellis says. While most power banks are safe to use, a person's safety rests on how they use them, she said. 'We don't have Australian standards for batteries at the moment so that's one of the problems,' Ellis told AAP. 'We don't really know what is in these batteries because it's all (intellectual property) protected, so it's challenging, and more and more people are using them than five years ago.' The extreme end of people carrying dangerous power banks was felt by South Korea's Air Busan in January when a fire started in one of its planes' overhead lockers. The blaze, believed to have started from a power bank, destroyed the plane with all 179 passengers on-board managing to evacuate safely. Some of the ways to lower the risk are following manufacturer instructions, not charging near flammable furniture and never using damaged or leaking power banks, the commission said. 'Some consumers have suffered serious burn injuries, and some have had their property damaged because of power banks overheating and catching fire,' the watchdog's deputy chair Catriona Lowe said. Suppliers offer a full refund or free replacement under the recalls, Ms Lowe said. Power bank restrictions for airlines including Qantas, Virgin and Singapore Airlines The horrific incident involving Air Busan has prompted a number of airlines to completely ban power banks in its carry-on luggage to ensure passengers' safety. Back in April, Singapore Airlines went a step further, banning passengers from using their seat's USB charging port to juice up their power banks. 'Effective 1st April 2025, Singapore Airlines customers will not be allowed to charge portable power banks via the onboard USB ports, or use power banks to charge their personal devices, throughout the duration of the flight,' the airline said. 'This means power banks must be carried in cabin baggage on all SIA flights and are not permitted in checked baggage. Customers may bring power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh without special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval. 'We seek customers' understanding that safety will always be our top priority.' Qantas has also cracked down on power banks. 'Baggage fitted with non-removable lithium batteries or power banks are forbidden,' the national carrier said. 'If in checked baggage the lithium battery or lithium power bank must be removed from the bag. 'The removed lithium battery or power bank must be in carry-on baggage only. 'Non-lithium batteries/power banks can remain fitted in the bag and carried as carry-on or checked baggage.' Virgin Australia has similar rules. 'Spare/loose batteries (including power banks/packs must be in carry-on baggage only and must be protected against short circuit by, placing in its original retail packaging, placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch or insulating terminals by taping over exposed terminals,' the airline said.
NZ Herald
10-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Lactalis' proposed acquisition of Fonterra businesses cleared by Australian competition watchdog
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says it will not oppose French dairy giant Lactalis BSA's proposed acquisition of Fonterra's consumer, dairy ingredients and food service businesses. Lactalis and Fonterra both currently acquire raw milk from dairy farmers in Victoria and Tasmania, as well as processing and supplying a range
7NEWS
04-07-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Urgent warning to shoppers about online ‘ghost stores' scamming unsuspecting Aussies
Aussie shoppers are being warned about online 'ghost stores', which are scams enticing customers to buy heavily discounted products from non-existent shops. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) received more than 360 complaints about 60 retailers that operate as ghost stores in this year alone. The ACCC alleges ghost stores operate by claiming to be a local Aussie business claiming to see high-quality items, often in a closing down sale, offering bargain prices. However, they instead offer low-quality items. Appearing on Sunrise on Friday, retail expert Gary Mortimer explained the goods are often just shipped from China, India, Pakistan or Bangladesh, or other countries with a large textile base. 'They're really difficult to identify,' Mortimer said. 'I guess the first one is there is no physical location. So, having a brand name with the words Sydney, Melbourne, Byron Bay or Adelaide in it. When you go to Google Maps you will find the brand doesn't have a physical location. 'You will notice on the website has no phone number only email address or a box that you can ask questions from. You can take the brand name and put it into the ABN search. 'You will realise quickly it doesn't have an Australian business number or alternatively put it into Scamwatch to see what Scamwatch detects, whether it's a dodgy site or not.' The commission specifically issued public warning notices about and Ghost stores also refuse refunds or only offer partial refunds to consumers who complain about the inferior quality of the goods compared to what is advertised, or do not respond to complaints at all. Mortimer said to be careful if the prices are too good to be true. 'They also seem to put big sales on,' he said. 'They infer its Italian shows or a French-made product. 'They use story telling. there will be an AI image. They're low cost. Significant savings.'
New York Post
03-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Australia issues major warning to locals over ‘ghost stores' scam posing as businesses
Australia's consumer watchdog has issued a major warning to online shoppers over several 'ghost stores', which are luring shoppers to buy heavily discounted products from scam websites. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) received more than 360 complaints about 60 retailers that operate as ghost stores this year, but believe many more could be in operation. Advertisement The ACCC alleges these 'ghost stores' making false claims they are a local Australian business that is closing down – claiming to sell high-quality clothing and footwear. In reality, they are based overseas and ship inferior, low-quality items. 3 The website had a 'closing sale' for customers with up to 80% off products. Ghost stores target consumers through social media ads, then close and rebrand under new names, often using different Australian suburbs, towns or cities in their business name to appear as a local business. Advertisement The ACCC issued a public warning to notify consumers of four websites currently in operation including and ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe warned Australians about the risks of engaging with these websites, alleging they are not based in Melbourne, Adelaide or Double Bay and they were not closing down. 'We further allege that the operators of these websites are supplying products which are not of the advertised quality,' she said. 3 also had a 'closing sale,' telling customers that due to financial reasons they can no longer stay open. Advertisement Authorities are concerned the conduct is widespread and there were many online ghost stores in operation that falsely claim to be local boutiques but supply poor quality products. Ghost stores also refuse refunds, or only offer partial refunds to consumers who complain about the inferior quality of the goods compared to what is advertised, or do not respond to complaints at all. Lowe urged people to think twice before clicking on ads they saw on social media which claim to be from a boutique business based in a local town or city. 'Often ghost stores will share an emotional story on their social media or website that they are a small, locally operated business, needing to close for financial reasons,' she said. Advertisement 3 had merchandise up to 50% for their 'closing sale.' 'They will claim they are having a 'closing down sale' as a result, with all stock heavily discounted and available on a very limited basis. 'This conduct preys on the empathy of consumers who have a genuine desire to support local businesses, as well as creating a false sense of urgency. 'The websites often use a similar format to many other online stores, advertising high-quality boutique clothing at heavily discounted prices. 'However, when the product arrives in the mail, consumers report receiving cheap, mass-produced products that have been sold at an inflated price and do not fit their advertised quality or description.'
