Oceania: Consumer Protection

Subscribe
Consumer protection law thought leadership, articles, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore insights covering topics that involve consumer protection regulations and the developing law surrounding them from specialists working in this area.
Article
When “Down Down” Wasn’t Really Down - Federal Court Rules Against Coles
In its judgement delivered on 14 May 2026, the Federal Court has found that Coles engaged in misleading conduct in relation to its long-running “Down Down” promotion, accepting the ACCC’s case that many advertised discounts were not genuine. The Court held that 13 of the 14 sample “Down Down” tickets examined in the hearing conveyed false or misleading price discount representations because the stated “was” price had not applied for a reasonable period before the promotion.
Australia Consumer
BP
Bartier Perry
Article
Unfair Contract Terms Penalties And The Updated UCT Regime: What Your Business Needs To Know
Australian businesses face dramatically increased penalties for competition and consumer law breaches, with corporate fines now reaching $50 million and individual penalties rising to $2.5 million. The unfair contract terms regime has been strengthened with new pecuniary penalties applying for the first time, creating urgent compliance obligations for businesses using standard form contracts. Companies that have not yet audited their contracts against these expanded obligations are now operating at signific
Australia Consumer
CG
Coleman Greig Lawyers
See more

Consumer Credit

Video
How To Defend A Possession Claim In Queensland
A possession claim is a court proceeding brought by a lender seeking possession of mortgaged property after a borrower defaults on their loan obligations. In Queensland, possession proceedings are governed by a combination of the mortgage contract, the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld), the Property Law Act 2023 (Qld), and, for regulated consumer loans, the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Cth) and National Credit Code.
Australia Finance
SL
Stonegate Legal
See more

Consumer Law

Article
Competition And Consumer Law Round-Up
This edition of the K&L Gates Competition and Consumer Law Round-Up examines recent enforcement actions by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, including greenwashing allegations, misleading pricing investigations, and record penalties for horticulture code breaches. The newsletter also covers significant merger reviews, authorisations for industry collaborations, and emerging regulatory developments affecting digital platforms and supply chain disruptions.
Australia Anti-trust
KG
K&L Gates LLP
Article
When “Down Down” Wasn’t Really Down - Federal Court Rules Against Coles
In its judgement delivered on 14 May 2026, the Federal Court has found that Coles engaged in misleading conduct in relation to its long-running “Down Down” promotion, accepting the ACCC’s case that many advertised discounts were not genuine. The Court held that 13 of the 14 sample “Down Down” tickets examined in the hearing conveyed false or misleading price discount representations because the stated “was” price had not applied for a reasonable period before the promotion.
Australia Consumer
BP
Bartier Perry
See more

Dodd-Frank, Consumer Protection Act

Article
Unconscionable Lending Practices And Guidance For Lenders
We recently examined how fraud can undermine indefeasibility and the resulting risks for lenders. You can read that article here: Indefeasibility of title - legal certainty in an age of rising fraud. This article analyses the High Court of Australia’s decision in Stubbings v Jams 2 Pty Ltd [2022] HCA 6, which remains the leading authority on responsible lending practices, notwithstanding the passage of four years since judgment.
Australia Finance
BP
Bartier Perry
See more

Education

Article
Coming For HR – When The Investigation Is The Hazard
Investigations are stressful – for everyone involved. So it’s no surprise the NSW Industrial Relations Commission has held that there are inherent psychosocial risks involved in the investigation process. In a recent decision affirming the validity of two improvement notices issued to the Department of Education by SafeWork NSW, the Commission reminds employers of their duty to identify and mitigate those risks, and the consequences when they don’t.
Australia Employment
BP
Bartier Perry
Article
Do Schools And Childcare Have To Follow Parenting Orders?
Parenting orders under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (“the Act”) determine post separation living arrangements for a child, allocation of parental responsibility, and may include orders about education, such as which school a child/ren should attend. Courts have emphasised that parents must take positive action to ensure children spend time with or live with each parent in accordance with parenting orders.
Australia Family
BP
Bartier Perry
See more

Latest Videos

See more