Consumer Protection

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.

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.

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.

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.  

• Framework for rent relief negotiations between commercial tenants and landlords
• Code applies to small businesses with turnover of less than $50 million a year
• Landlords required to respond to written requests from tenants in 14 days

The McGowan Government has introduced a new code of conduct to help commercial tenants and landlords reach agreements about rent during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Keeping a roof over everyone’s head has never been more important as thousands of people suffer job losses due to the economic fall-out of COVID-19 coronavirus restrictions.

New laws are now in place to ensure renters can stay in their homes and businesses won’t have to leave their premises, while recognising that landlords shouldn’t be unnecessarily burdened.  

The emergency residential tenancy laws aim to provide some certainty during these uncertain times for those in private and public housing, residential long stay parks, as well as boarders and lodgers.

If you’re a tenant who’s lost their job in the coronavirus crunch, you may be wondering how to afford what’s likely the household’s biggest weekly expense – the rent.

To relieve some of the burden, the State Government has announced a $30 million residential rental relief scheme, which will see payments equivalent of four weeks’ rent up to a maximum of $2000 granted to landlords on behalf of tenants in financial strife due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tenants can apply for the grant online, however there are some things they should know before taking that step.

Heating appliances will soon be emerging from hibernation as cooler weather sets in, particularly with many of us working from home this winter.

If you are using a gas heater, our colleagues at Building and Energy have issued a timely warning about the dangers of exposure to carbon monoxide, which can leak from faulty, poorly maintained or misused gas appliances.

The McGowan Government has announced a new package to support tenants, landlords and the construction industry in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The package adds to the McGowan Government's $1.7 billion stimulus and relief package for businesses and households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It complements the introduction of a six-month freeze on rent increases, the moratorium on evictions from March 30, 2020, and the $25 million small business rent relief package announced last month. 

Winter has officially arrived and many of us have already dragged out the winter woollies, electric blankets and hot water bottles, but it’s important to make sure we are using these items safely.

Electric blankets, hot water bottles, heat (or wheat) packs and children’s sleepwear are just some of the winter items that can pose an injury risk if they are old, worn or not used properly.

As with any product – but particularly products that can cause scalds, burns or fires – consumers should always follow user guides.