Projects
ACCAN - Australian Communications Consumer Action Network
- ACCAN - Overview
- ACCAN - Fairness tests in consumer law (2010)
- ACCAN - Draft Interoperability principles (2010)
- ACCAN - Do Not Call Register Statutory Review (2009)
- ACCAN - Customer Service Charters (2009)
- ACCAN - Informed Consent (2009)
ACCAN - Overview
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) is a consumer body representing consumer interests in telecommunications. Its primary activities include disseminating information to consumers through the Internet and publications, engaging and training volunteer consumer advocates, coordinating responses to government-initiated processes, and conducting conferences and workshops.
ACCAN - Fairness tests in consumer law (2010)
On behalf of ACCAN, Galexia prepared a submission to the Expert Panel On Franchising And Unconscionable Conduct, established by the Government following a parliamentary inquiry into provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974 that prohibit unconscionable conduct.
The submission proposes to reform Australia’s consumer laws by inserting a new fairness test into Section 52 of the Trade Practices Act (and all legislation that mirrors that test). This would result in Section 52 prohibiting ‘conduct that is unfair or misleading, or conduct that is likely to mislead or be unfair’.
ACCAN - Draft Interoperability principles (2010)
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Galexia prepared a report on interoperability for the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), including a set of draft interoperability principles. Interoperability, in many systems, can provide a number of benefits for consumers, including reduced cost, increased functionality, and increased competition.
The report was prepared for presentation to COPOLCO, the Consumer Policy Committee of the International Standards Organisation (ISO).
ACCAN - Do Not Call Register Statutory Review (2009)
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Galexia assisted ACCAN in the development of its submission to Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy 2009 statutory review of the Do Not Call Register.
ACCAN - Customer Service Charters (2009)
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Galexia prepared an analysis of customer service charters in the telecommunications industry, compared with consumer codes. The analysis covered best practice consumer protection in Australia and internationally.
ACCAN released its final report in August 2009.
ACCAN - Informed Consent (2009)
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Galexia conducted research into informed consent in Australian law. The research explored:
- Current requirements for informed consent in law (including industry codes);
- Methods used to ensure consumers are able to give informed consent - for example, the measures taken in contracts to ensure that consumers understands what they are agreeing to;
- The meaning of ‘informed consent’ for consumers from culturally and linguistically diverse groups, from different age groups, and with accessibility issues;
- Better and fairer selling practices.
Galexia also advised on a best practice framework of informed consent, and mechanisms for putting this framework into place.
ACCAN released its final report in August 2009.