Consumer Protection

With many people experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, one way consumers can save money is by checking and comparing unit prices when grocery shopping.  

Unit pricing shows consumers the value of grocery products as a cost per standard unit of measurement on shelf labels.

Large grocery stores and some online grocery retailers must display the unit price when selling packaged food and other grocery products, such as bread, eggs, fruit and vegetables and toilet paper.

Are you a consumer champion or do you know one? If so, then I would urge you to consider nominating for the Consumer Protection Awards 2021.

Every day across Western Australia there are many individuals, organisations, businesses and media professionals working tirelessly to advocate for the consumer rights of others, many of whom are considered vulnerable. 

These unsung heroes often receive little recognition, which is why the annual Consumer Protection Awards are an important opportunity to highlight their incredible achievements.  

Gone are the days where a gym is the only destination available for fitness lovers looking for a structured work-out.

Nowadays, you can find boot-camps in local parks, employ a personal trainer or even stream ‘virtual’ work-out sessions online from the comfort of home.

Whichever exercise method best suits your lifestyle, there’s little doubt Western Australia’s fitness industry has undergone a major revolution in recent years and the legislation is now catching up to provide better consumer protection for all involved.

They might look harmless, but in the wrong hands (and mouths) button batteries can become child killers.

Every week in Australia, 20 children present to an emergency department following exposure to button batteries, with one child a month suffering serious injuries.

If swallowed, coin-sized lithium button batteries can lodge in a child’s system and the resulting chemical reaction can cause severe burns to their oesophagus and other internal organs. Likewise the insertion of button batteries into ears and noses can also lead to significant injuries.

Our sunny skies have paved the way for a booming solar panel industry in Western Australia, as many households look for ways to cut their power bills while also reducing their carbon footprint.

Rooftop solar has become so popular in fact, it’s estimated that 300,000 WA households already have panels installed, accounting for one-fifth of the electricity produced in our main network.

Even though there’s a lot to love about this renewable, some consumers have come to Consumer Protection with complaints about poor quality parts, companies going broke and pushy sales tactics.

• McGowan Government to commence phase-out of swimming pools and spas for family day care services
• Stronger regulations to immediately require additional safety measures and training for family day care educators whose residences have pools, spas or water features
• Changes to improve child safety outcomes for the family day care sector

The State Government will strengthen regulations for family day care operators to improve child safety at residences with swimming pools, spas or water features.

Have you ever engaged a dealer to sell a car or caravan on your behalf? This is known as ‘consignment selling’ and the laws that regulate this method of sale are currently under review, with a ban being considered as one of the options.

For those who don’t want to negotiate the sale of their vehicle privately, selling on consignment is a viable option but it comes with risk.

The great outdoors is the place to be this summer – and the same goes for portable gas-fuelled appliances such as cookers, heaters, barbecues and fridges.

WA’s gas safety regulator, Building and Energy, is warning that this equipment must never be used inside tents, caravans or other enclosed spaces. Even if the doors or windows are open, you could be exposed to potentially lethal levels of a toxic gas: carbon monoxide.

When it comes to booking holidays or buying presents online, the terms and conditions (t&cs) matter now more than ever.

This is because some businesses may now have extra policies in place as a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic that could include how they respond to a ‘change of mind’ purchase or booking.

Your consumer rights apply if the product or service is faulty or not as described, regardless of whether it is on sale or occurs during a pandemic.

Western Australia can be a land of extremes – a fact we were reminded of recently when a bushfire devastated communities in Perth’s east and flooding swept the state’s Gascoyne region.

The twin events are an unfortunate reminder for tenants and landlords to be aware of their rights and responsibilities should a rental property become damaged or destroyed in a disaster.

When a rental home in WA is damaged, the landlord is legally responsible for necessary repairs and maintenance to bring the property back to a liveable condition.