Consumer Affairs Forum agrees not to charge vulnerable consumers to receive paper bills

The Australian Keep Me Posted campaign, which advocates consumers’ right to choose how companies communicate with them; is celebrating a win today.

The Consumer Affairs Forum saw Minister’s consider the Decision Regulation Impact Statement on paper billing fees and agreed to encourage businesses not to charge vulnerable or disadvantaged consumers to receive paper bills.

This will be issued by businesses providing a strict twelve-month period to increase their subscription to their existing exemption programs.

The ministers at the Forum stated that if the increase in exemption program subscription is not met, they will consider a total ban on paper billing fees.

Kellie Northwood, Executive Director, Keep Me Posted, commented on the decision:

“While it is disappointing it wasn’t an outright ban, we respect the Consumer Affairs Forum decision and welcome the supportive sentiment. We hope that this result sends a clear message to businesses to apply common sense and do the right thing for all Australian consumers.”

Keep Me Posted will continue to provide the most vulnerable Australians assistance through their campaign initiatives and will continue to monitor the issues over the next twelve months.

For more information see: www.keepmeposted.org.au