Announcements

Showing 1151 - 1175 of 2247 results

Commissioner's blog: Be in the know about demos

There’s a lot to like about demonstrator vehicles – they’re practically new cars with very few kilometres that sell for cheaper prices than you’d otherwise pay for a genuine new motor. Another bonus is that clock only starts ticking on the time aspect of the manufacturer’s warranty (e.g. 5-years) on the date of purchase by a consumer and not while it’s in the dealership’s possession. Conversely,...
Consumer Protection
Media release
13 Aug 2020

Advice for ‘Aussie Sheds Albany’ customers affected by bankruptcy

Consumer Protection has issued advice for customers of Aussie Sheds Albany affected by the bankruptcy of its sole proprietor Armand Javellana . The business closed this week after taking payments from consumers for the construction of sheds but has failed to supply the materials or complete the work. So far 38 consumers have reported paying a total of almost $500,000 for work yet to be commenced...
Consumer Protection
Media release
13 Aug 2020

First step towards better consumer protection in the tow truck industry in WA

Consumer Protection has launched a period of community and industry consultation with the view of determining whether the regulation of tow truck businesses and those working in the tow truck industry in WA is required. This consultation is prompted by community concerns about the conduct of some tow truck operators and reports of unscrupulous tactics being used to gain business from consumers...
Consumer Protection
Media release
11 Aug 2020

Avoid Perth petrol price rise

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 28 cents per litre (cpl) to 132.6 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 12 August 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Caltex Woolworths and Coles Express hiking by between 40 and 42 cpl up to 143.9...
Consumer Protection
Media release
11 Aug 2020

Consumer complaints mount against Albany shed seller – warning issued (Aussie Sheds Albany / Armand Javellana)

Consumer Protection is warning consumers about an Albany shed seller who appears to have accepted a large amount of money in deposits and full payments but has failed to deliver. In the past week, Consumer Protection has received 19 complaints against Armand Javellana , trading as Aussie Sheds Albany , from customers who claim to have paid a total of $226,000 but construction of their sheds is...
Consumer Protection
Media release
10 Aug 2020

Northern suburbs builder cautioned over contract – Dwayne Alcock

The Building Services Board has issued a formal caution to a Mullaloo builder after his partner’s business entered into a contract to do a $300,000 commercial fit-out, but the registration and building approval documents were issued to him as an individual building contractor. In 2018, the City of Joondalup received a building permit application and a notice of completion that identified Dwayne...
Building and Energy
Media release
06 Aug 2020

South West builder on notice for work without permit – Matthew Dean Jansen

A Bridgetown builder has been formally cautioned for negligent conduct after he carried out work without a building permit. The Building Services Board found Matthew Dean Jansen (BC101487, BP101779) breached WA’s building registration laws during a home construction project in Bridgetown, which he took over in April 2019 after the original builder went into liquidation. Mr Jansen started work at...
Building and Energy
Media release
06 Aug 2020

Vehicle parts seller to pay $26,000 for operating a ‘Ponzi scheme’ business (Gordon German / Green Oval Experience)

A man who operated a business selling specialist motor vehicle parts as well as conducting driver training courses was fined $10,000 by the Armadale Magistrates Court on 31 July 2020 and ordered to pay compensation to his disappointed customers amounting to $16,003. Gordon German , trading as Green Oval Experience formerly operating in Canning Vale, was also ordered to pay costs of $225.90. Mr...
Consumer Protection
Media release
06 Aug 2020

Live stream scammers target Consumer Protection Awards

Live stream scammers have targeted the Western Australian Consumer Protection Awards virtual event on Facebook prompting a warning from the consumer watchdog’s fraud prevention section WA ScamNet. Due to COVID-19, the Consumer Protection Awards March 2020 in-person event was postponed and then cancelled, leading to a virtual Awards ceremony for the first time. Commissioner Lanie Chopping says...
Consumer Protection
Media release
06 Aug 2020

Commissioner's blog: Sea container investments not so water-tight

If you’ve seen an advert promising big returns on an investment in shipping containers, then our advice is to consider whether it may be a scam or Ponzi scheme. WA ScamNet is aware of $800,000 of losses in Western Australia so far to a venture called Pacific Tycoon, which advertises investments in shipping containers and promises returns of up to 20 per cent when they lease it out on your behalf...
Consumer Protection
Media release
06 Aug 2020

Illegal appliances spark electrical safety alert and infringements

WA’s energy safety regulator is urging consumers, sellers and importers to check that household electrical equipment is approved for sale in Australia after two retail chains each received $5,000 fines for selling illegal and potentially hazardous lamps. Building and Energy issued the infringement notices after a site inspection revealed some Turkish-style lamps in the stores lacked the required...
Building and Energy
Media release
05 Aug 2020

Advocates for WA’s vulnerable consumers become award winners

Community service providers that offer support to some of our most vulnerable consumers have been recognised in the Consumer Protection Awards, along with a program to prevent infant sleeping deaths and a regional reporter. The 2020 winners were announced at a 'virtual' event on the Consumer Protection Facebook page after the awards ceremony in March was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions...
Consumer Protection
Media release
05 Aug 2020

1 January 2021 pay rates now available

New versions of the WA award summaries and the Minimum pay rates for award free employees are now available which include the pay rates that come into effect from the first pay period on or after 1 January 2021. In June the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission issued the 2020 State Wage Case decision, which grants a 1.75% per week increase in the state minimum wage and WA award...
Labour Relations
Department News
05 Aug 2020

Illegal dealing in 52 motor vehicles results in fine for Applecross man

A 53 year old Applecross man was fined $4,500 by the Perth Magistrates Court on 24 July 2020 after pleading guilty to buying and selling 52 motor vehicles without a licence. The man, who was granted a spent conviction, had traded the vehicles between May 2018 and November 2019 in most cases using Gumtree. Not having a licence for this level of trading breaches the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act...
Consumer Protection
Media release
04 Aug 2020

Avoid Perth petrol price rise

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by 28 cents per litre (cpl) to 132.9 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 5 August 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express and Caltex Woolworths hiking by up to 40 cpl up to 143.9 cpl; 7-Eleven up...
Consumer Protection
Media release
04 Aug 2020

Commissioner's blog: Travel - to cancel or not to cancel?

If you’re a Western Australian who loves to travel, then odds are high you’ve had a trip cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Hopefully your refund or remedy was sorted quickly, but if not, you’re certainly not alone. Complaints to Consumer Protection were five times higher in the period from March 1 2020 until now, compared with the same period last year. Of the 625...
Consumer Protection
Media release
30 Jul 2020

Avoid Perth petrol price rise

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 28 cents per litre (cpl) to 134.2 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 29 July 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: BP hiking by up to 38 cpl up to 144.9 cpl; Caltex Woolworths, Caltex and Coles...
Consumer Protection
Media release
28 Jul 2020

Chimney sweep brushes off consumers’ refund demands and wanders off (Neil Michael Cole / The Wandering Chimney Sweep)

A winter warning for consumers looking to have their fireplaces cleaned – stay away from a chimney sweep who takes your money but then wanders off without finishing or even starting the job. Neil Michael Cole , formerly of Gidgegannup but now believed to be living in the Bunbury area and trading as The Wandering Chimney Sweep , has been advertising his services on Facebook Marketplace. On six...
Consumer Protection
Media release
27 Jul 2020

Free information session – Plumbing services to survey strata lot developments

Amendments to the Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000 are being drafted to include new plumbing standards for subdivision plumbing work in relation to survey strata schemes. The changes are outlined in Industry Bulletin 125 – New requirements for plumbing services to survey strata lot developments . A free information session is also being offered to inform the Western...
Building and Energy
Department News
27 Jul 2020

Commissioner's Blog: Wait for safer quad bikes

‘Panic-buying’ is a term we’d usually associate with grocery shopping in 2020, however there are suggestions it may be happening in the quad-bike industry currently on the eve of new safety regulations. We have been concerned to hear reports that some quad bike dealerships are running low on stock as farmers and other consumers rush to buy-up current models that do not meet the important new...
Consumer Protection
Media release
23 Jul 2020

Industrial inspectors recovered $711,766 in unpaid wages and entitlements in 2019-20

Private Sector Labour Relations industrial inspectors helped employees to recover over $700,000 in unpaid entitlements in the 2019–20 financial year. 232 complaints lodged with Private Sector Labour Relations resulted in $530,036 being recovered for employees whilst $181,730 was recovered as a result of proactive compliance audits in the café and restaurant sector. Wageline also answered more...
Labour Relations
Department News
21 Jul 2020

Avoid Perth petrol price rise

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 29 cents per litre (cpl) to 135.5 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 22 July 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express hiking by up to 40 cpl up to 145.9 cpl; BP up to 144.9 cpl; Caltex...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 Jul 2020

Rogue tree lopper to pay more than $22,000 after consumer law conviction (Sean Robert Weinthal)

A Perth tree lopper with a dubious history of bad behaviour when dealing with consumers has been ordered by the Supreme Court to pay a total of $22,380.60 in fines and costs after being convicted on appeal of breaching consumer laws relating to unsolicited sales. Sean Robert Weinthal , who at the time of the offences was operating under the business name West Coast Trees , was fined $7,500 and...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 Jul 2020

Major reforms cut red tape for WA charities

Major reforms are now in force which lift the red tape burden on WA charities, reducing their administration costs and resulting in more money being made available to charity recipients. The changes to WA’s Charitable Collections Act simplify the application process and reporting requirements while removing duplication of compliance for charities. Charity licences do not have an expiry date now,...
Consumer Protection
Media release
20 Jul 2020

Commissioner's blog: Tree loppers come out of the woodwork

Toppled trees and fallen branches are a regular sight around Perth following high winds and thunderstorms, meaning winter is usually a busy time for the arborist industry. Hiring a tree-lopper or a tradesperson for any job should be a hassle-free experience, which is why consumers should exercise caution and research the businesses before engaging their services. Consumer Protection received 55...
Consumer Protection
Media release
16 Jul 2020

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