Latest news with #Cass-Gottlieb
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Business
- 7NEWS
Thermomix slapped with $80,000 penalty for allegedly claiming products were NDIS approved
Thermomix Australia has paid $79,200 in penalties over alleged claims that its products were endorsed by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It allegedly made the false or misleading advertising claims on its website about one of its all-in-one appliances, and a cordless vacuum and mop. But no singular product can be approved for the varying needs of all NDIS participants, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said. The company claimed the products were 'NDIS approved', 'NDIS-registered', 'NDIS-consumables', 'NDIS assistive technology', and 'NDIS equipment', the watchdog alleged. Vorwerk Australia Pty Ltd, which trades as Thermomix, was given four infringement notices for the alleged breaches in November 2024 and March 2025. 'The NDIS does not provide specific approval for any particular goods or services,' ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said. 'Each NDIS participant has unique needs, and what's funded under their plan is determined individually, not through a list of approved products. 'There are no categories of goods or services which are automatically NDIS approved or funded for all NDIS participants. 'Misleading consumers experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage is of concern to us, and we will not hesitate to take appropriate action.' Thermomix is not the only company to be slapped with penalties over the advertising misstep. Bedding retailer Bedshed Franchising allegedly made NDIS-related claims about some of its mattresses, furniture and bedding accessories. The company paid $39,600 after claiming its products had been evaluated or approved by the NDIS. 'Your advertising must reflect the facts,' Cass-Gottlieb said last week. The Australian Government's NDIS Taskforce was established in 2023 to address potential breaches of the country's consumer law where NDIS participants may be targeted.
9 News
5 days ago
- Business
- 9 News
Thermomix pays $80,000 fine for 'misleading consumers' over NDIS claims
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here A kitchen appliance company paid $79,200 in fines over allegations two of its products were falsely labelled as NDIS-approved. Vorwerk Australia, trading as Thermomix, was hit with four infringement notices by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for allegedly making false of misleading representations to customers online. The competition watchdog has alleged Thermomix falsely promoted the Thermomix TM6 cooking product and Kobold cordless vacuum and mop as being endorsed through the NDIS or registered by an entity administering the NDIS. A spokesperson for parent company Vorwerk Australia said the organisation "would never intentionally or knowingly mislead any consumers". The ACCC has alleged Thermomix promoted its TM6 cooking product as being endorsed through the NDIS or registered by an entity administering the NDIS. (Thermomix) The watchdog claims this allegedly describing the products as NDIS approved, NDIS-registered product, NDIS-consumables, NDIS assistive technology and NDIS equipment. ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said misleading consumers experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage was concerning. "We will not hesitate to take appropriate action," Cass-Gottlieb said. "The NDIS does not provide specific approval for any particular goods or services." The ACCC said the payment of the penalty is not an admission of contravention of Australian consumer law. A spokesperson for parent company Vorwerk Australia said: "We have not hesitated to take appropriate action to remedy all instances of concern raised by the ACCC," the spokesperson said. "While some of the website references pre-date the acquisition of The Mix Australia Pty Ltd, we take full responsibility for communicating with all our customers in a clear and compliant manner." The spokesperson said in November 2024, Vorwerk International & Co. KmG completed an acquisition of The Mix Australia Pty Ltd. After the acquisition, The Mix Australia Pty Ltd was renamed as Vorwerk Australia Pty Ltd. national Australia Consumer disability CONTACT US Property News: He was evicted. Then he saw his home on Airbnb.
West Australian
6 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Thermomix cops $70k fine after making ‘misleading' NDIS approval claims
The company behind all-in-one blender Thermomix has copped a $79,000 fine for allegedly claiming its products were endorsed by the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Vorwerk is the second company in a week to be hit with infringement notices from the consumer watchdog, alleging Thermomix falsely promoted its TM6 cooking product and Kobold cordless vacuum and mop as being endorsed through the NDIS or registered by an entity administering the NDIS. This included allegedly describing the products as 'NDIS approved', 'NDIS-registered product', 'NDIS-consumables', 'NDIS assistive technology' and 'NDIS equipment''. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said the NDIS did not provide specific approval for any particular goods or services. 'Each NDIS participant has unique needs, and what's funded under their plan is determined individually, not through a list of approved products,' she said. 'There are no categories of goods or services which are automatically NDIS approved or funded for all NDIS participants.' Ms Cass-Gottlieb warned it would not hesitate to take appropriate action against companies that misled consumers experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage. Thermomix has been contacted for comment. The ACCC last November put businesses on notice of its focus on problematic advertising practices targeting NDIS participants. Since then, it has taken compliance and enforcement action against a number of businesses. WA bedding and mattress retailer Bedshed was last week slapped with a $40,000 fine for allegedly making similar false statements its mattresses, furniture and bedding accessories were 'NDIS approved' or 'NDIS permitted'.
Sky News AU
27-05-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Captain Cook College fined more than $30 million for overcharging 5,500 students for courses most never logged in to
An Brisbane-based vocational college will pay $30 million in fines after engaging in "unconscionable conduct" where thousands of students racked up debts for courses that most never logged on for. Captain Cook College faces tens of millions of dollars in penalties after it was taken to Federal Court by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. The college, which has received millions from the Federal Government, removed consumer safeguards in 2015 from its enrolment and withdrawal processes that are designed to protect students from being overcharged. This led to about 5,500 students facing debts under the former VET FEE-HELP loan program totalling more than $60m. The ACCC said the 'vast majority' of affected Captain Cook College students failed to complete any part of their course and about 86 per cent never logged in to their online course. The Federal Government was forced to waive the debts of the affected students and withheld some payments from the college. ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said the college's actions had ramifications for both the students and the government. 'Captain Cook College's conduct not only cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, but it also caused distress to the thousands of consumers enrolled in their courses who for many years were told they had significant debts to the Government,' Ms Cass-Gottlieb said in a statement. The college has been fined $20m for unconscionable conduct and $750,000 for making false or misleading representations to students. Its parent company Site Group International is facing a $10m penalty while Site's former chief operating officer Blake Wills has received a $400,000 fine and is banned from managing corporations for the coming three years. Ms Cass-Gottlieb said the consumer watchdog was pleased with the outcome as it 'sends a message to all businesses, including those seeking to obtain government funding, that they must comply with the laws which protect consumers'. 'The judgment also shows the ACCC's determination to pursue individuals in appropriate cases,' she said. The ACCC first began proceedings against Captain Cook College in 2018 and it was first found guilty in 2021. Captain Cook College, Site Group and Mr Wills appealed this decision, but it was upheld in August 2024. The college was established in 1998 and acquired by Site in 2014.
West Australian
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
WA's biggest insurer in sights of IAG after insurance giant snares Queensland RAC
Australia's competition umpire won't stand in the way of IAG's move to buy RAC Queensland in a decision that could clear the way for the behemoth to take control of WA's biggest general insurer. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on Thursday ruled there were enough home, contents and motor insurance providers on the market to keep IAG on its toes and it would not further probe its planned $855 million acquisition of the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland's underwriting business. ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said the likes of Suncorp, Allianz, QBE, and newer entrants such as Youi, Auto & General, and Hollard meant there was still plenty of competition in the Sunshine State. 'While RACQI has strong brand recognition in Queensland, our review found that it does not differentiate in terms of price or coverage,' Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. But the watchdog said its decision on the deal was in no way a curtain-raiser for what happens with IAG's concurrent proposal to buy RACWA's insurance arm. The ASX-lister is proposing to buy Perth-based RAC Insurance for $400 million and make an upfront payment of $950 million to RACWA for a 20-year exclusive distribution and brand licensing agreement. The $1.35 billion sale could hand more than 55 per cent of WA's insurance market share to the Sydney-based outfit, analysts at UBS have estimated. WA-based claims staff, who will sell home and motor policies developed and underwritten by IAG, will get to keep their jobs for at least two years. The Motor Trades Association of Australia lamented IAG's move on the homegrown WA business as 'the beginning of the end for locally owned, motoring club-based insurance in Australia.' RAC's in WA and Queensland are not the only players in the eyes of big insurers, with the ACCC also juggling a review of Allianz'a pursuit of Royal Automobile Association of South Australia's insurance arm. 'If these deals are approved . . . it will be the nail in the coffin for local motoring club insurance,' MTAA interim executive director Rod Camm said when the WA deal was announced last week. 'The agreements could mislead consumers into thinking they were still insured by a local motoring club, IAG's announcement it will deliver insurance for RACWA pulls the wool over the eyes of Western Australians for the next 20 years.' The group is urging the ACCC to reject the proposals, claiming consumers will be left with less choice and higher premiums. On the back of a booming year , the RAC in WA called in investment banking firm Barrenjoey at the end of 2024 to size up the business. An RAC spokesman confirmed at the time that a 'strategic review' of its insurance business was under way, saying the group was 'constantly looking for ways to improve our member experience and the services we provide, including insurance.'
