Consumers' Federation of Australia
Encyclopedia
The Consumers' Federation of Australia (CFA) is Australia's umbrella consumer advocacy group.
unsuccessfully attempted to establish state and territory Branches. The first state or territory based consumer organisation was Canberra Consumers, established in 1963 by Michael Vernon
, Godfrey Linge and Bill Howitt. By the late 1970s most states and territories had their own consumer group.
It soon became apparent that lack of coordinated action by these consumer lobby groups was obstructing political change. With the election of Gough Whitlam
and the Labor Government in 1972, the Government encouraged the disparate consumer groups to join together and form the Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations (AFCO).
In 1974 after a meeting of 27 consumer groups, led by the Australian Consumers' Association and Canberra Consumers, a constitution was drafted and AFCO was officially founded. AFCO's foundation membership included Canberra Consumers, the Country Women's Association
, the Australian Consumers Association and the Consumer Action Movement.
and the effects of inflation
on consumers. In the 1980s the policies of interest for AFCO were product labelling, competition
, media ownership and health. In the 1990s the issues were National Competition Policy
, media ownership, environmental issues, product safety, tobacco control
, financial services and banking and deregulation
.
In 1994, for ease of reference, AFCO was renamed the Consumers' Federation of Australia (CFA).
and the Liberal National Party Coalition won power. One of its first actions with regard to consumer affairs was the complete defunding of CFA. Prior to the election the CFA had nine fulltime staff working for it. After the defunding decision, the CFA had only one part-time paid staff member. And after twelve months, the only staff members remaining were voluntary. CFA continues to operated to this day, but only as a voluntary organisation, making only limited contributions to national debate regarding issues affecting consumer affairs.
History
In the early 1960s the Australian Consumers AssociationAustralian Consumers Association
The Australian Consumers’ Association, which trades as CHOICE, is an Australian not for profit consumer organisation. It is a non-partisan organisation that was founded in 1959 which researches and campaigns on behalf of Australian consumers...
unsuccessfully attempted to establish state and territory Branches. The first state or territory based consumer organisation was Canberra Consumers, established in 1963 by Michael Vernon
Michael Vernon
Michael 'Mike' Vernon A.M. was a prominent Australian consumer activist. Vernon was born in Portsmouth, United Kingdom in 1932 to John Ernest Vernon and Caroline Vernon . He emigrated to Australia in 1955 and settled in Canberra, Australia...
, Godfrey Linge and Bill Howitt. By the late 1970s most states and territories had their own consumer group.
It soon became apparent that lack of coordinated action by these consumer lobby groups was obstructing political change. With the election of Gough Whitlam
Gough Whitlam
Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC , known as Gough Whitlam , served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr at the climax of the...
and the Labor Government in 1972, the Government encouraged the disparate consumer groups to join together and form the Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations (AFCO).
In 1974 after a meeting of 27 consumer groups, led by the Australian Consumers' Association and Canberra Consumers, a constitution was drafted and AFCO was officially founded. AFCO's foundation membership included Canberra Consumers, the Country Women's Association
Country Women's Association
The Country Women’s Association of Australia is the largest women's organisation in Australia. It has 44,000 members across 1855 branches. Its aims are to improve the conditions for country women and children and to try to make life better for women and their families, especially those women...
, the Australian Consumers Association and the Consumer Action Movement.
Policy Priorities
The policy priorities of AFCO reflected the main consumer concerns of the decade. In the 1970s it was the establishment of product standards, trade practices law, social justiceSocial justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
and the effects of inflation
Inflation
In economics, inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation also reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money – a...
on consumers. In the 1980s the policies of interest for AFCO were product labelling, competition
Competition
Competition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two and only two strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For...
, media ownership and health. In the 1990s the issues were National Competition Policy
National Competition Policy
The term National Competition Policy refers to a set of policies introduced in Australia in the 1990s with the aim of promoting microeconomic reform.-Origins:...
, media ownership, environmental issues, product safety, tobacco control
Tobacco Control
Tobacco control is a field of public health science, policy and practice dedicated to controlling the growth of tobacco use and thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality it causes...
, financial services and banking and deregulation
Deregulation
Deregulation is the removal or simplification of government rules and regulations that constrain the operation of market forces.Deregulation is the removal or simplification of government rules and regulations that constrain the operation of market forces.Deregulation is the removal or...
.
In 1994, for ease of reference, AFCO was renamed the Consumers' Federation of Australia (CFA).
Defunding
In 1996, John HowardJohn Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
and the Liberal National Party Coalition won power. One of its first actions with regard to consumer affairs was the complete defunding of CFA. Prior to the election the CFA had nine fulltime staff working for it. After the defunding decision, the CFA had only one part-time paid staff member. And after twelve months, the only staff members remaining were voluntary. CFA continues to operated to this day, but only as a voluntary organisation, making only limited contributions to national debate regarding issues affecting consumer affairs.