Consumer law lacking in travel and tourism industry

When the pandemic hit, many Australians obviously had thousands of dollars tied up in travel plans that had to be suddenly cancelled, replaced instead by lengthy periods of confusion and…

Andrew speaks in Parliament about problems with consumer protections in the travel industry

The flight and travel industry remains in diabolical strife, with thousands of Australians chasing refunds for ill-fated holidays cancelled due to COVID-19 and travel agents going to the wall. The…

Spirit sleight of hand has not fooled consumers

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. This old adage certainly applies to the free-car scheme on offer on the State Government’s Bass Strait ferries. Sadly,…

Is TT-Line COVID subsidy a mean-spirited con?

Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, has welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister’s commitment to investigate allegations that Spirit of Tasmania ferry fares have risen, not fallen, during a “free vehicle”…

Consumer watchdog asked to investigate allegations of price gouging in Tasmania

Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, has written to the Australian Competition Commission asking for an investigation into reports of price gouging in Tasmania, where people are being hit with…

Time to crack down on payday lending

Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, will introduce the National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment (Small Amount Credit Contract and Consumer Lease Reforms) Bill 2020. The bill will provide better protections for consumers…

Andrew’s question in Parliament on Australia Post delays in the lead-up to Christmas

“Minister we’re counting down the sleeps until Christmas but Australia Post is obviously in disarray. “Indeed constituents regularly report bills arriving after due dates, medical reminders turning up after appointments,…

Stop the spin and address the human misery caused by pokies

Talking Point published in the Mercury newspaper 3 September 2020. Just as seatbelts and drink driving laws made cars safer, we need measures to make poker machines safer. The tragic…

Awash with secrecy, government risks eroding public trust

What’s with all the state secrets? I’m the first to say the state government has done a good job keeping us safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. But I’m growing increasingly…