Federal Court action launched against Cabcharge by ACCC

Cabcharge - Australia's non-cash payment monopoly for taxis and hire cars - is facing long overdue action by the ACCC in the Federal Court.
The ACCC has launched the action alleging 10 breaches of the Trade Practices Act.

Cabcharge faces penalties of $10 million per contravention plus a pecuniary penalty of 10% of its annual turnover for each contravention.

Cabcharge's revenue for the last financial year was $173 million.

That's a total potential penalty of $273 million.

A spokeswoman for Cabcharge Tracey Cain said: "Cabcharge always behaves appropriately".

Consumer Watch spokesman Paul Tully says: "We'll see".

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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WARNING: eBay ripoff by 14 year old girl exposed in Ipswich District Court

A sophisticated $44,000 eBay scam by a 14 year old teenager from Crescent Head in New South Wales had its sequel in the Ipswich District Court when the girl, now 16, was found guilty and placed on probation for two years.

The Brisbane Courier-Mail gives a full account of the case at http://tinyurl.com/ebayripoff

eBay spokesman on the case Daniel Feiler provides no real satisfaction for consumers that there interests will be protected by the online superstore.

What is really disturbing is the claim by one victim that eBay unlawfully gave the fraudster the mobile number of the victim who then received up to 21 calls a day from the fraudster.

Consumer Watch spokesman Paul Tully said it's time for eBay to ramp up its initial identification and consumer protection policies.

"eBay is a giant money-making machine for some unscrupulous operators and eBay should be doing everything it can to eliminate this online fraud."


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Queensland's Phantom Council Amalgamation

It's been more than a year since Queensland's 125 local councils were reduced to 73.

Yet, some habits seem to die hard.

On page 103 of today's Courier-Mail, there is an advertisement from the Barcaldine Regional Council.

At the top of the advertisement are the three crests from the former councils of the Shires of Aramac, Barcaldine and Jericho which make up the new council.

If there is anything more divisive to a true amalgamation, it is living in the past.

Retaining the three crests for official advertisements - when those crests were legally abolished in March 2008 - suggests that there is still a lot of local ill-will against the forced amalgamation.

Des Howard is the Chief Executive Officer of the Council and his name appears in today's Courier-Mail advertisement.

What is he doing to stop the use of these legally non-existent crests which are holding back the Barcaldine Regional Council on its proper road to true amalgamation?


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Bruce Paige - Queensland's Top Television Newsreader retired tonight after a lifetime of dedicated service

Domino's, Eagle Boys and Nando's fail our children

Domino's, Eagle Boys Pizza and chicken chain Nando's have failed to sign up to the new voluntary code of advertising which bans junk food ads aimed at children.

Voluntary codes are never as strong as enforceable laws but is a major step in the right direction for McDonald's, KFC, Hungry Jack's, Red Rooster, Oporto and Chicken Treat signing up for the new deal.

Domino's, Eagle Boys and Nando's have failed the next generation of Australians.

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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7-Eleven Store at Redbank Plains fined for consumer ripoff

The Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor has commented on the $4000 fine in the Ipswich Magistrates Court against the 7-Eleven Store at Redbank Plains.

This is another pro-active move by the State Government to help Queensland consumers.

This is the text of the Minister's Media Release:

Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading

The Honourable Peter Lawlor

24/06/2009

7-Eleven store fined for false price scans

The operator of a 7-Eleven convenience store at Redbank Plains has been fined $4000 in the Ipswich Magistrates Court for overcharging on products.

Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor said the store, managed by Shree Salasar Balaji Pty Ltd, was charging more for products than their listed shelf price.

"Fair Trading officers conducted a random spot-check on the store in 2008 and discovered a number of products being overcharged," Mr Lawlor said.

"A follow-up visit later last year revealed that despite the original problems being rectified, further products were being overcharged relative to their shelf price.

"The substantial punishment underlines to retailers the importance of ensuring their scanning systems are accurate.

"Consumers need to feel comfortable when making purchasing decisions that they are being treated fairly."

Mr Lawlor encouraged consumers to watch carefully when their items were scanned at the checkout and question any prices that appeared to be incorrect.

"Keep your eyes on the scanner, check your dockets and if you think there's a problem, talk to the attendant or manager," he said.

"If the store operates under the voluntary Code of Practice for Computerised Systems in Supermarkets, you may even be entitled to receive an incorrectly scanned product for free."

Mr Lawlor said the prosecution comes as the Office of Fair Trading hosted a recent forum on price scanning with 25 retail industry representatives.

"The forum provided an opportunity to discuss price scanning issues and identify solutions to any problems retailers are experiencing," he said.

"Fair Trading is committed to working with retailers on these issues however it will pursue enforcement action when consumers are misled.

"Maximum penalties for breaching the Queensland Fair Trading Act 1989 range from $54,000 for an individual to $270,000 for corporations.

Mr Lawlor urged consumers who were unable to resolve a problem with a store to contact the Office of Fair Trading on 13 13 04 or visit its website at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au for more information.

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Ian Craig - doyen of Australian horse racing - calls his last race

Ian Craig - race caller and entertainer for over 40 years - signed off for the last time today at Gosford.

Congratulations. Well done Ian.

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Is this the filthiest Hungry Jack's Store in Australia?

PICS: The disgraceful Hungry Jack's Store at Granard Road in Brisbane where the welcome mat is a pile of filth

The Hungry Jacks Store on Granard Road at Archerfield in Brisbane's west is nothing but a disgrace to the company.

There is nothing worse than going into any fast food store to be greeted by an array of slops left by other customers which have not been cleaned up.

Tonight, six of the seven tables were an absolute pigsty with half-eaten food and filth littering the tables and the floor.

There were hardly any customers in the store after 6.50pm with the six staff having a pretty easy time for the ensuing half hour.

It was not until 7.22pm that one of the six staff decided it was time to clean up Archerfield's answer to Brisbane's municipal tip.

Whoever is managing this outfit needs an urgent refresher course in Basic Store Management 101.

It's not good enough for members of the public to have to put up with this dirty offering by Hungry Jack's.

There's no use complaining to Hungry Jack's - because if they cared about the presentation of their stores, tonight's sickening display would never have been allowed to occur.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Bendigo Bank's technological wizardry on display at Mt Ommaney

What can we expect from our ATMs in the future?

X-rays, thermal imaging and nuclear detection equipment, maybe?

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Police pounce on laser lunatic in north Queensland - now wait for the beak to slap him over the wrist!

Police have laid charges for the first time in Queensland over the use of a laser device used to endanger a helicopter at Mareeba.

This was indeed a very quick and effective police investigation.

The police have done their job, now we can expect the alleged offender to be dealt with by a feather duster when he appears in court on 13 July.

We can expect the usual legal mumbo-jumbo, that the offender has had a deprived upbringing and a sad life which caused his overnight brain implosion.

Nothing but a substantial jail sentence is the right penalty for this brain-dead halfwit who easily caused a loss of life.

The following media release has been issued by the
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services:

Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services

The Honourable Neil Roberts

21/06/2009

CHARGES LAID AFTER LASER 'HITS' HELICOPTER IN MAREEBA

A 17-year-old man has become the first person in Queensland to be charged under laws aimed at curbing the dangerous practice of pointing laser lights at aircraft, Police Minister Neil Roberts and Commissioner Bob Atkinson announced today.

Mr Roberts said the man was charged after he allegedly pointed a high intensity laser beam at an emergency services rescue helicopter early this morning.

"The man was charged with 'endangering the safe use of a vehicle by directing a beam of light from a laser'," Mr Roberts said.

"He is the first person in Queensland to be charged under legislation introduced by the Bligh Government last year - and updated in May this year - in a bid to curb this dangerous practice and prosecute those responsible.

"This type of behaviour has the potential to lead to tragedy and is completely unacceptable.

"Around 1.35am the Emergency Management Queensland chopper was attempting to land at the Mareeba Hospital helipad when a concentrated beam of green laser light allegedly 'hit' the aircraft four times.

The pilot landed the helicopter safely and immediately reported the incident and approximate location of the beam to police.

Police were dispatched to the area and commenced a comprehensive search during which time two men, a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, were located in Byrnes Street, Mareeba.

One of the men was allegedly located in possession of a hand held high intensity laser beam.

Commissioner Atkinson said the quick thinking of the pilot and the control tower in relaying the information to police had greatly assisted in apprehending the man.

"Due to their quick thinking police were able to concentrate their search efforts and achieve a positive outcome. Incidents of this type are extremely dangerous and the potential for tragedy is great".

"These devices are not toys and these instances are not harmless pranks. Police are committed to locating and prosecuting those who want to place at risk the lives of air crews and their passengers," he said.

The man was issued with a Notice to Appear in the Mareeba Magistrates Court on July 13.

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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How is this for an in-your-face statement to the Tax Office?

PICS: Spotted at the new WOW store at Oxley - a real, in-your-face and thumb-your-nose effort apparently aimed at the Australian Taxation Office. Almost enough for the cops to want to issue multiple tickets if they pulled the owner over - just for the heck of it!

PS Wish WOW would turn their music down - inside and outside. It's literally a real turnoff according to dozens of customers! Is this an age-related complaint? If so, WOW should realise that all of its customers aren't under 40, with their head-banging cacophony.

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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The Australian Rusty Ute Affair - a load of unmitigated claptrap!

The Rusty Ute Affair would have to be the biggest beat up by an Opposition since Federation.

John Grant - founder of the so-called 51 Club because he was born in 1951 - has been embroiled in one of the nastiest charades and personal attacks ever launched in Federal Parliament.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale sums up the 51 Club as just a loose group of bipartisan mates born in 1951 - or thereabouts who share a common birth year.

Yet, Malcolm Turnbull suggests they are a group of shady, untrustworthy, political operatives.

John Grant is a thoroughly decent and honourable corporate citizen of Ipswich.

His word is his bond and his trademark is his unwavering honesty and his ethical behaviour.

Malcolm Turnbull - egged on by Liberal pugilist clowns from Sydney's North Shore - has descended into the bottom of a cesspit to scrape up dirt on John Grant as part of his unproven attack on the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan.
Politics at its worst is the only way to describe this dark side of the Federal Opposition.

Kevin Rudd, Wayne Swan and John Grant will triumph out of this debacle and Malcolm Turnbull will be left lamenting with no chance of ever recovering politically.

Malcolm should have stuck with the Australian Republican Movement where his quaint combination of individual capitalism and socialist principles left true republicans perpetually gobsmacked!


P.S. Cr Paul Tully turns 58 tomorrow. Will he get a free Rusty Ute as a birthday present for his honorary membership of the 51 Club in Ipswich?


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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CONSUMER WARNING: Another Hong Kong email scam threatens Aussie internet users

Another internet email scam has hit Australia with the promise of untold riches.

Please warn everyone you know of this scam, especially people who are new to the internet and unfamiliar with email scams who may be tempted by this fraudulent offer of $AU18.6 million.

It really is time for the Australian Government to use its legislative powers to force ISPs to block this sort of online fraud which ends up stripping the bank accounts of unsuspecting internet users.

If the Government can stop illegal internet pornography, it can stop this sort of fraudulent activity which financially destroys untold numbers of individual Australians and their families.

This is a copy of the latest phoney email scam:

From: chaowei barryk.cj@bellnet.ca

Subject: HELLO

I am MR CHAOWEI,bank of china {hongkong},I have a business proposal of (us$18,600.000.00) for you in my bank.

for more information email
chao.wei1@btinternet.com


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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BLOODY HOPELESS

Iran is arguing over an election, America is arguing with North Korea over nuclear weapons while Australia argues over a rusty old ute.

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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CONSUMER WATCH: New email scam warning.

A new internet email scam has hit Australia overnight with a bogus cash prize of more than £1.86 million.

It's time for the Australian Government to use its legislative powers to force ISPs to block this sort of online fraud which ends up stripping the bank accounts of unsuspecting internet users.

If the Government can stop illegal internet pornography, it can stop this sort of fraudulent activity which financially destroys untold numbers of individual Australians and their families.

This is a copy of the latest phoney email scam:

From: Su.Fahy@wlv.ac.uk

Subject: Cash on file: £1,856,652

Dear Email owner,

Your email address on SERIAL No:472-9768-79 has won a total cash prize of £1,856,652 Great British Pounds in our New Email random selection.

Please contact the claims officer for more information,

Also provide listed information,
Names___________
Address___________
Age___________
Occupation________
Phone no____________
Country__________

Claims Officer: Mr. Michael Brown

Email:uknl_claimsunit@administrativos

comphone: +44 703 190 5559

Mr fahy Su

THE PROMOTION COORDINATOR


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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