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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FCVic Annual Report 2023-24
- Published: 9 October 2024
Read the FCVic Annual Report for 2023-24
Submission to the Family Law Amendment Bill 2024 in relation to Non-Payment of Child Support
- Published: 4 October 2024
- Topics: Family Violence
As part of the Economic Abuse Working Group, a national alliance of women’s legal, financial counselling, and economic rights organisations, FCVic is proud to contribute to this submission, advocating for the recognition of non-payment of child support as a form of economic abuse.
The Working Group is encouraged by the amendments’ reference to non-payment of child support and their recognition of the long-term financial strain imposed on victim-survivors. These changes should prompt institutions—including those in finance, accounting, legal, and government sectors—to acknowledge the likelihood of non-payment behaviours facilitated by their systems. It is essential that these sectors actively work to interrupt and address this form of abuse. Turning a blind eye allows institutional systems to be weaponised, perpetuating harm.
We must remain vigilant that violence does not cease with the end of a relationship. In fact, economic abuse, particularly through non-payment, may escalate following the formal dissolution of the relationship. The reforms in this Bill provide a critical opportunity to address these ongoing risks.
We also recognise the valuable work of our partner organisations, including the Financial Counsellors Association of Western Australia, Women’s Legal Service, Gosnells Community Legal Centre, WESNET (The Women’s Services Network), Women’s Legal Services Australia, and Women’s Legal Service WA, who are collectively raising awareness and advocating for change.
Submission to Essential Services Commission Water Industry Standards
- Published: 6 September 2024
- Topics: Utilities
In this submission, FCVic supports the proposed guideline on self-reporting non-compliance with the Water Industry Standards, emphasising transparency and accountability. We recommend including broader examples of vulnerability, such as communication assistance and payment hardship, in addition to family violence and life support equipment. We also suggest expanding the reporting template to capture detailed complaint data, including resolution times and outcomes, to enhance customer empowerment. Lastly, we highlight the importance of comprehensive staff training to ensure all employees can identify and report non-compliance, not just specialised teams.
Submission to ACMA Draft Telco Outages Industry Standard 2024
- Published: 26 September 2024
- Topics: Disaster Recovery, Utilities
Our submission expresses strong support for the prompt implementation of the Industry Standard, advocating for mandatory rather than voluntary standards to ensure equitable service for consumers across all providers. A key concern is raised regarding the inclusion of section 19, which exempts carriers from outage requirements during natural disasters. Our submission highlights the critical need for telecommunications connectedness in the aftermath of such events, citing the Victorian Network Outage Review and its recommendations. It recommends that section 19 be reviewed and amended or removed to prioritise public safety.
Submission to the Network Outage Review
- Published: 30 July 2024
- Topics: Campaigning and Systemic Advocacy
FCVic provided feedback on the independent review of the operational response to the 13 February 2024 storms.
While supporting many interim recommendations, FCVic highlighted key concerns, including inadequate consumer communication, the need for alternative methods like radio updates, and issues with the Prolonged Power Outage Payment (PPOP), suggesting a fairer stepped payment model.
We also advocated for removing the business electricity account requirement for small businesses operating from residential properties and emphasised the importance of rapid deployment of temporary generators and field crews. FCVic calls for a proactive, state-funded disaster resilience and recovery service, due to the increasing frequency of climate-related disasters and the need for consistent, regionally accessible support. Additionally, we urge that funds from AusNet’s court enforceable undertaking be directed to frontline services for vulnerable consumers.
Submission to the Personal Insolvency Consultation – Minimal Asset Procedure
- Published: 30 July 2024
- Topics: Campaigning and Systemic Advocacy
FCVic supports the Financial Rights Legal Centre’s (FRLC) recommendations in the Attorney-General’s consultation on a ‘Minimal Asset Procedure’ in the personal insolvency system. FCVic advocates for increasing the debt threshold to $100,000 and excluding owner-occupied homes with little or no equity from asset tests, particularly given Australia’s housing crisis. These measures aim to provide debtors with a fresh start, prevent forced bankruptcies, and reduce pressure on housing and homelessness services. FCVic commends the positive legislative progress achieved through joint advocacy efforts.