Oceania: Consumer Protection

The Federal Court of Australia has ruled that Coles Supermarkets' 'Down Down' promotional pricing was misleading to consumers, despite the advertised prices being factually accurate. The case examines whether temporary price increases followed by promotional discounts constitute genuine savings, and establishes critical standards for how long a higher price must be maintained before retailers can legitimately advertise it as a discount reference point.

When should businesses initiate a voluntary product recall, and what legal obligations must they fulfill under Australian Consumer Law? This article examines the circumstances requiring recall action, outlines the mandatory notification process to the ACCC, and explores preventative measures businesses can implement to minimize product safety risks.

The ACCC is actively targeting NDIS providers for breaches of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), with corporate penalties of up to $50 million.