Reports and Submissions
Read the latest reports and submissions from FCVic on a range of topics significant to financial counsellors, consumer advocates and the wider community.
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Submission to the Attorney-General’s Department Personal Insolvency Discussion Paper
- Published: 28 September 2023
- Topics: Bankruptcy, Debt Agreements and Insolvency
FCVic has made a submission to the Attorney-General’s Department Personal Insolvency Discussion Paper.
Victorian financial counsellors support many debtors through all stages on the bankruptcy and debt agreement process. They have experience and knowledge of both the advantages and issues with the system, particularly from the perspective of vulnerable debtors who have sought financial counselling assistance at a very stressful time.
In preparing this submission, FCVic has consulted with the members of its Bankruptcy Working Group, which comprises practitioners with a high level of experience in the subject matters raised in the discussion paper. FCVic believes that there is a place for bankruptcies and debt agreements that are reasonable, fair and equitable to debtors. However, financial counsellors see many cases where the processes are used by some creditors or debt administration businesses to either unfairly pressure debtors or as a source of fees for administrators.
Submission to the Review of Victoria’s Pre-Commitment and carded play
- Published: 20 September 2023
- Topics: Gambling related harm
FCVic has a made a submission to the Review of Victoria’s pre-commitment and card play consultation process.
Financial counsellors work with people experiencing gambling harm. They understand the distress and devasting impact gambling harm has on individuals, families, workplaces, and communities. Financial counsellors regularly hear stories of persons experiencing gambling harm who are encouraged to gamble for long periods of time, spending money that they cannot afford to lose.
The opportunity to introduce a meaningful and responsive pre-commitment and carded play program to Victoria is one that we welcome and have been advocating for since Gambler’s Help programs were introduced. Continual development of our understanding of what gambling harm is, and how we can better look after individuals and communities who experience gambling harm must be prioritised over profit margins and business growth for gambling providers.
Submission to the Review of Victoria’s Responsible Gambling Codes of Conduct for wagering and bookmakers, Keno, bingo centres, raffles and lotteries
- Published: 17 September 2023
- Topics: Gambling related harm
FCVic has made a submission to the Review of Victoria’s Responsible Gambling Codes of Conduct for wagering and bookmakers, Keno, bingo centres, raffles and lotteries.
Financial counsellors work with people experiencing gambling harm. They regularly hear stories of predatory behaviour by gambling providers, including inducements to gamble, incentives to continue to gamble, no interventions for people displaying signs of gambling harm, and little concern when a person is experiencing gambling harm.
The Responsible Gambling Codes of Conduct must do more to acknowledge gambling harm and the clear evidence that gambling causes harm. Comprehensive and ongoing staff training is critical to ensure that the potential harm is well understood and able to be prevented or minimised. There is a need for more thorough investigations into reported Code breaches, and stronger penalties for gambling providers who breach of the Code. Publishing the relevant penalties within the Codes is one measure to deter non-compliance.
We must also focus our attention on the next generation of people experiencing gambling harm. We need action, intervention and strong guidance to ensure minors are not enticed into gambling.
The banning of gambling advertising, inducements and incentives will reduce the risks of gambling harm on our community. The evidence around gambling advertising is clear – it is damaging.
Response to Ministerial Guidelines Relating to Payment of Rates and Charges
- Published: 15 September 2023
- Topics: Local Councils
FCVic has made a response to the draft Ministerial Guidelines Relating to Payment of Rates and Charges.
Based on our review of the documentation provided in relation to the consultation, FCVic recommends that the draft Ministerial Guidelines be re-examined to better take account of the advice provided by the ESC.
We further recommend that redrafting of the Ministerial Guidelines be done in consultation with key stakeholders, including FCVic and Victorian financial counsellors.
Submission to the Victorian Household Concessions Program Assessment
- Published: 23 June 2023
FCVic has made a response to the Victorian Household Concessions Program assessment.
Financial counsellors in Victoria work closely with concession card holders and have considerable insight into the impacts and effectiveness of the concessions program. Our response to the assessment draws on the professional observations and experiences of
Victorian financial counsellors.
The response highlights areas of the program which could be improved to remove barriers to access for some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged community groups, including older people, CALD community members, and family violence victim-survivors.
Submission to inquiry into the extent and nature of poverty in Australia
- Published: 2 February 2023
- Topics: Social Security and Centrelink
FCVic has made a submission to the inquiry into the extent and nature of poverty in Australia.
This submission, drawing on client experiences and our members’ professional observations, will focus on the following issue areas:
- Financialisation, credit and debt
- Social Security system
- Family Violence
- Mental Health
- Housing
- Digital access gap
- Energy hardship
- Migrants and refugees
- Financial literacy and capability
FCVic makes the following recommendations to the Inquiry as steps that will significantly and quickly reduce the individual and community burdens from widespread, preventable poverty.