Jo-Anne Riches's List: Legal Information

The main pieces of consumer protection legislation are:
The Australian Consumer Law contained in schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)
Sale of Goods Act 1895 (SA)
Fair Trading Act 1987 (SA)

The law governing bankruptcy is contained in the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth). As this is a Commonwealth Act, it applies throughout Australia. The government agency responsible for administering the legislation is the Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia (ITSA).

The Commonwealth legislation which covers bankruptcy, Part IX (debt agreements) and Part X (personal insolvency agreements) arrangements. It deals with individuals.

In South Australia the law concerning the protection of children is contained in the Children's Protection Act 1993 (SA). All references in this section are to this Act unless stated otherwise.

On January 1 this year, changes to the single parenting payments came into effect for people who began receiving those payments before July 1, 2006.

Previously, there were two types of parenting benefits available. Known as Parenting Payment (Partnered) and Parenting Payment (Single), both were subject to income and asset tests. The difference was that Partnered payments were available until the youngest child turned six. Single payments were made until the youngest child turned eight.

However, the system also allowed for single parents to continue receiving the payment until the youngest child turned sixteen if they met specific criteria.

On 1 November 2010 the Office of the Privacy Commissioner was integrated into the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). An interim website for the OAIC is available at www.oaic.gov.au. This site (privacy.gov.au), which only contains information related to the OAIC's privacy function, will be maintained until a combined site is established.

Australian Banker's Association

"Independent, not-for-profit community organisations providing legal services to the public"

"The Law Handbook Online is a practical guide to the law in Victoria in the form of a comprehensive, plain english, web-based legal resource."

The 2010 Commonwealth Legal Framework learner guide suggests on page 5 that Tasmanian practitioners view this, although there will be some differences between Victorian law and Tasmanian law.

The Law Handbook Online features thorough legislation and case indexes that are cross-referenced with dynamic pop-up boxes advising of the latest law changes and updates. It also features a handy search function to an extensive database of addresses and contact details to relevant legal and non-legal services. Also included is a glossary of legal terms with roll over definitions."

The 2010 Legal Frameworks workbook from the FCA advises financial counselors from ACT and NT to reference this resource for law basics, but advises that specifics of the law will differ in ACT and NT.

The Queensland Law Handbook (legislation couched in language accessible for non-legal people), is not available for free online. You may be able to contact your library's reference librarian and to get access via a local library or you can purchase it from the publisher.

Information on dealing with unmanageable debt, including links to Debt Agreement and Bankruptcy information.

One of the two main commercial credit reporting agencies in Australia.

One of the two main commercial credit reporting agencies in Australia.

The TCS Credit Bureau is a commercial credit reporting agency containing information residents of Tasmania.

Established in 1993 and provided for under a Federal Act of Parliament, the TIO is operated by Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Ltd and is independent of industry, the government and consumer organisations.

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is Australia's national energy market regulator and an independent statutory authority.

The AER is funded by the Commonwealth, with staff, resources and facilities, provided from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

This page has Information on choosing an energy retailer, understanding your bill and how to extend payments if you're having issues paying your bills.

"Consumer Credit Legal Service (WA) Inc (CCLSWA) commenced operation in February 1991 as a specialist community legal centre advising Western Australian consumers in the area of banking and financial services. We are a not for profit charitable institution. CCLSWA provides advice and representation to consumers in WA, as well as taking an active role in community legal education, law reform and policy issues affecting consumers. The Service also works together with other consumer advocacy organisations around Australia to address issues that are of national concern."