Australian consumer watchdog issues public warning about ‘ghost stores’ and urges Meta and Shopify to crack down
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/03/australia-ghost-stores-accc-warning-e-commerce-meta-shopify-ntwnfb
#ACCC #consumerlaw #trademark #socialmedia
#accc
Australian Gas Infrastructure Group's green hydrogen gas blend reaches Gladstone customers
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-03/renewable-gas-blend-flows-to-gladstone-customers/105482274
This article contains an astonishing amount of bullshit from the fossil fuel lobby.
Cathryn McArthur is the main offender, with breathtaking lies such as:
- Ms McArthur said customers had been using the product at no additional cost. The total cost of the project was $6.48 million, which included a $2.73 million contribution from the Queensland government.
This means taxpayers have already footed the bill for part of it, and customers will be charged by the gas company for the rest of the cost.
- "This [Gladstone] project is a real-world demonstration of the potential of renewable gas. It's here, it's real, it's viable and it works."
It's not viable without government hand-outs. And she should know the laws of physics would disagree with pumping hydrogen through through existing pipes into homes.
- "It is a 10 per cent blend but you've got to start somewhere, and hopefully one day we will see that at 100 per cent."
No. Just no. The gas company might be trying to put 10% hydrogen into the pipe at the factory, but due to leakages, not all that hydrogen makes it to the other end of the pipe. And there is no way in hell people will be cooking with 100% hydrogen in domestic kitchens. Again, that's not how physics works.
- Ms McArthur said the company had planned and costed for minor modifications to its existing network which would allow them to distribute 100 per cent green hydrogen.
Cathryn McArthur is wrong again. For this to work, the gas company will need to replace their entire distribution infrastructure -- every pipe, pipe-fitting, valve, sensor, and gas-meter. Then you replace your home appliances for cooking, heating, and hot water.
It's greenwashing by the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) to prolong the use of fossil gas in Australia. They're not serious about tackling climate change. They're using Green Hydrogen and "carbon neutral" as a smokescreen to keep pushing their pollution until 2050.
This announcement at the Hydrogen Park Gladstone facility was timed to deflect attention from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) saying gas companies are making false claims and greenwashing.
#AusPol #Greenwashing #AustralianGasInfrastructureGroup #AGIG #FossilGas #FossilFuel #FossilFuels #ClimateChange #ClimateDisaster #Hydrogen #GreenHydrogen #AustralianCompetitionAndConsumerCommission #ACCC
Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic owner in Court over alleged greenwashing claims that its sunscreens were ‘reef friendly’ https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/banana-boat-and-hawaiian-tropic-owner-in-court-over-alleged-greenwashing-claims-that-its-sunscreens-were-%E2%80%98reef-friendly%E2%80%99 #ACCC #greenwashing
'The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Bupa HI Pty Ltd (Bupa) for breaches of the Australian Consumer Law in relation to members’ entitlements to private health insurance benefits for certain claims, affecting thousands of consumers over a period of more than five years.
Bupa has admitted to engaging in misleading or deceptive conduct and making false or misleading representations by advising members they were not entitled to private health insurance benefits for their entire claim, when in fact this was not the case. Bupa has also admitted to engaging in unconscionable conduct in connection with its assessment of 388 Mixed Coverage Claims.
Most of the claims impacted by the admitted conduct were claims for hospital treatment, in which two or more procedures were performed at the same time. In cases where part of the treatment was covered by a member’s policy and part of the treatment was not covered, Bupa incorrectly rejected the entire claim.
The ACCC and Bupa will jointly ask the Court to order Bupa to pay a total penalty of $35 million and make other orders. It is a matter for the Court to determine whether the penalty and other orders are appropriate.' https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/bupa-in-court-for-unconscionable-conduct-and-misleading-consumers-about-health-insurance-benefits-entitlements #ACCC #consumerlaw #Bupa #auslaw #auspol
Climate friendly gas claims challenged in landmark #ACCC #greenwashing case https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/climate-friendly-gas-claims-challenged-in-landmark-accc-greenwash-case-20250626-p5majz.html #auslaw #auspol
@RenewEconomyRSSFeed
Cripes - if I had a choice I’d have no gas in my unit!
I hope the #ACCC win!
The ACCC has launched Federal Court action against gas distributor Australian Gas Networks Limited alleging it made false and misleading representations in its ‘Love Gas’ TV and digital advertising campaign.
The ACCC alleges Australian Gas Networks misled millions of consumers when it represented, in ads that ran during 2022 and 2023, that the gas it distributes to households on its network will be renewable within a generation.
Australian Gas Networks did not have reasonable grounds for making the unqualified claim about the future of gas, which featured in advertisements run on free-to-air television, streaming services and on YouTube, the ACCC alleges.
“We allege that Australian Gas Networks engaged in greenwashing in its ‘Love Gas’ ad campaign,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.
“We allege that the ads overstated the likelihood of Australian Gas Networks overcoming significant technical and economic barriers to distribute renewable gas to households within a generation.”
“It is not currently possible to distribute renewable gas at scale and at an economically viable price, and throughout 2022 and 2023 it was highly uncertain whether, and if so when, this would be possible,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/australian-gas-networks-in-court-over-alleged-greenwashing-in-renewable-gas-campaign #greenwashing #ACCC #auslaw #auspol
** Scam alert: ACCC phone numbers spoofed by scammers
------------------------------------------------------------
The National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) is warning Australians following reports that scammers have been impersonating phone numbers belonging to the ACCC in an attempt to steal personal information.
The ACCC and the NASC (which operates under the ACCC) have become aware of scammers using publicly available ACCC phone numbers, which are listed on the agency’s official website.
Here are 2 reported cases:
* The scammers claimed to be representatives of the ACCC and requested sensitive information over the phone.
* Scammers misused the ACCC acronym to impersonate an unrelated organisation and spoke in a language other than English.
The ACCC phone numbers have been spoofed, which means that the scammers have disguised their phone number to make it look like they are calling from a trusted organisation, in this case, the ACCC. They then ask for personal information.
The ACCC and NASC will never:
* make calls from its reception numbers
* charge money for its services
* cold call or email to ask for your personal information like passwords, bank details or answers to security questions
* threaten or pressure you to stay on the line.
If you receive a call claiming to be from the ACCC where personal information such as passwords or bank details are requested, do not provide this information and hang up.
Be extremely wary of urgent requests asking you to act immediately, and never provide personal information if unsure. Do not click on any links or download attachments from messages unless you are sure it is from someone you can trust.
** Stay protected
------------------------------------------------------------
STOP – Don’t give money or personal information to anyone if you’re unsure. Scammers will create a sense of urgency. Don’t rush to act. Say ‘no’, hang up, delete.
CHECK – Ask yourself could the call or text be fake? Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. Contact the organisation using information you source independently, so that you can verify if the call is real or not.
PROTECT – Act quickly if something feels wrong. If you have had money or personal information stolen contact your bank immediately. Help others by reporting scams to Scamwatch.
** If you’ve been affected
------------------------------------------------------------
Don't be embarrassed about being scammed.
If you’ve had money or personal information stolen contact your bank or card provider immediately.
If you’ve been scammed or have provided personal information call IDCARE on 1800 595 160.
Help others by reporting scams to Scamwatch.
** Who is the National Anti-Scam Centre?
------------------------------------------------------------
The National Anti-Scam Centre is where government and industry work together to protect Australians from scams. We're harnessing shared resources and smarter analytics to identify blind spots, strengthen weak links and use data to react faster, stopping scams before they happen.
Our aim is to make Australia a harder target for scammers.
For more information about how to avoid or report a scam, visit the Scamwatch website.
Scam alert: ACCC phone numbers spoofed by scammers
The National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) is warning Australians following reports that scammers have been impersonating phone numbers belonging to the ACCC in an attempt to steal personal information.
The ACCC and the NASC (which operates under the ACCC) have become aware of scammers using publicly available ACCC phone numbers, which are listed on the agency’s official website.
The ACCC phone numbers have been spoofed, which means that the scammers have disguised their phone number to make it look like they are calling from a trusted organisation, in this case, the ACCC. They then ask for personal information.
If you receive a call claiming to be from the ACCC where personal information such as passwords or bank details are requested, do not provide this information and hang up.
@InsurgoFormica Exactly! And don’t hold your breath for much negative coverage either — not when realestate.com.au is raking it in and the Murdoch-controlled media depends on property ads for their bread and butter. Too much money at stake to bite the hand that feeds them.
Australia’s property market under scrutiny! The ACCC is investigating REA Group (realestate.com.au) for potential price gouging. Sellers face steep fees, with one paying nearly $5,900 to list a unit. As housing costs soar, is REA’s dominance hurting affordability?
After hundreds of complaints, eHarmony’s auto renewal subscription case begins in Australian federal court https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/02/eharmonys-auto-renewal-subscription-federal-court-case-ntwnfb #ACCC #consumerlaw #auslaw
Silk Logistics ( #SLH ) has released " Scheme Update - ACCC Resumes Review " on Fri 23 May at 09:48 AEST #Australia #ASX #ACCC #Business #rise
https://grafa.com/asset/silk-logistics-holdings-ltd-9980-slh.asx?utm_source=asxmktsensitive&utm_medium=mastodon&utm_campaign=slh.asx
Insurance Australia Group ( #IAG ) has released " AXX: Proposed acqn of RACQ Insurance by IAG not opposed " on Thu 22 May at 09:26 AEST #Australia #media #ASX #ACCC #Business
https://grafa.com/asset/insurance-australia-group-ltd-137-iag.asx?utm_source=asxmktsensitive&utm_medium=mastodon&utm_campaign=iag.asx
Day 29 🔥🥷🏭🏗️
“The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (#ACCC) has been asked to investigate allegedly misleading claims made by #AustraliansForNaturalGas, a pro-gas group with directors who include a #GasIndustryExecutive and a #Liberal candidate running in the federal election.
Lawyers acting for #ClimateIntegrity, a not-for-profit focused on corporate accountability, have filed a complaint with the ACCC. They argue that the website and advertising materials of Australians for Natural Gas have failed to disclose its directors’ links to the gas industry and #LiberalParty, and overinflated the role of gas in the economy and energy transition.
On its website, Australians for Natural Gas describes itself as a “not-for-profit organisation representing the interests of #AussieHouseholds, industries and producers”. The company was registered in January 2025 with #JoelRiddle and #NathanielSmith among its directors, according to information provided to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
Riddle is the chief executive of the gas company #TamboranResources, which holds the largest share of acreage in the #BeetalooBasin, according to the company’s website. Smith was installed as the Liberal candidate for the New South Wales seat of #Whitlam after the party’s initial choice was disendorsed, and was a member of the NSW parliament from 2019 to 2023.”
#AusPol / #LNP / #Nationals / #Coalition / #Energy / #ClimateEmergency <https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/28/pro-gas-group-with-liberal-party-links-referred-accc-over-alleged-misleading-claims-ntwnfb>
Garbage bag giant fined $8.25m for falsely claiming products were recycled plastic https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/14/garbage-bag-giant-fined-825m-for-falsely-claiming-products-were-recycled-plastic
Clorox, the company behind GLAD garbage bags, advertised them as made from 50% recycled plastic from the ocean. #auslaw #greenwashing #ACCC #consumerlaw
ACCC genehmigt Woolworths' Übernahme von Beak & Johnston. - published 09 Apr 2025 #Australia #ltd #ASX #ACCC #NewZealand
https://grafa.com/news/de-retail-accc-greenlights-woolworths--acquisition-of-beak---johnston-418323?utm_source=asx_news_de&utm_medium=mastodon&utm_campaign=418323
Client Info
Server: https://mastodon.social
Version: 2025.04
Repository: https://github.com/cyevgeniy/lmst