Optus to pay $100 million fine over sales to vulnerable customers
On Wednesday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Optus announced they would now jointly ask the federal court to impose a total penalty of $100 million for breaching the consumer law, after the telco admitted its sales staff acted unconscionably when selling phones and contracts between August 2019 and July 2023.
As part of the penalty agreement, Optus has also signed an undertaking that it will compensate affected customers and improve its internal system, with the federal court to make orders on the amount. The company will also make a $1 million donation to an organisation that helps foster digital literacy among First Nations Australians.
The ACCC launched the legal action against Optus in October, and while the allegations included 429 customers across 16 stores, the telco acknowledged Indigenous Australians were the majority of those affected, primarily at its two Darwin locations and its Mount Isa store.
In many instances, customers did not want or need, could not use or could not afford what Optus staff sold them, with consumers pursued for resulting debts in some cases.
'Many of the affected consumers were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage, such as living with a mental disability, diminished cognitive capacity or learning difficulties, being financially dependent or unemployed, having limited financial literacy or English not being a first language,' the ACCC said.
Optus has conceded its sales staff put undue pressure on consumers to purchase a large number of products, including expensive phones and accessories, that they did not want or need, could not use or could not afford; and also failed to explain relevant terms and conditions.
Many of the affected customers lived in regional, remote and very remote parts of Australia, and the telco has admitted its staff did not have regard to whether consumers had Optus coverage where they lived.
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Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
‘Reliable': China's big call on Albo trip
Anthony Albanese has landed back in Australia after six days abroad touting Australia's trade and tourism offerings in China. The Prime Minister has been keen to reframe the Australia-China relationship in friendlier terms, steering away from the increasingly militaristic tone to focus on a peaceful coexistence ensured through deeper economic interdependency. 'Overwhelmingly, what we discuss as moving forward is issues of today and tomorrow, rather than the past,' Mr Albanese told reporters on his final day in Chengdu, a major research hub in western China. 'What I speak about is the potential that's there to grow the relationship, to develop further economic ties. Anthony Albanese in Shanghai with fiancé Jodie Haydon and Socceroos great turned Shanghai Port FC coach Kevin Muscat. NewsWire / Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer Credit: News Corp Australia 'We – of course, as I've said repeatedly – we co-operate where we can, we disagree where we must, but we don't want those disagreements to define our relationship either. 'So what we do is talk about how we can co-operate further in the future.' His message has gone down well in Beijing, with Chinese state media eagerly lapping up every photo op and flattering remark Mr Albanese made. Mr Albanese's message has seemingly gone down well with Beijing. Supplied/PMO Credit: Supplied Chinese state media had only good things to say after the two leaders met. Supplied/PMO Credit: Supplied The Global Times is a leading English-language propaganda mouthpiece for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Doing its best to imitate a Western-style publication, it is often used to circulate the CCP's various pet peeves and routinely takes scathing shots at Australia. But the Chinese government tabloid has had only good things to say after Mr Albanese met with Xi Jinping and other party top brass in the middle of the trip. 'The most important insight this gives us is that treating each other as equals, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and engaging in mutually beneficial co-operation serve the fundamental interests of both China and Australia and the two peoples,' it cited the Chinese President as saying in his remarks at the top of the big meet — a striking similarity to Mr Albanese's own words. (L-R) Mr Albanese with Tourism Australia's Robin Mack, vice president Edison Chen, and CEO Jane Sun. Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia More tellingly, it summed up the state visit as a revival of 'Australia's independent China policy', speaking to the elephant in the room. Donald Trump has made clear China is the main game when it comes to the foreign policy focus of his second administration. Its exploding middle class and relentless growth is evidence of an economic model that could rival the US. Similarly, China's rapid expansion of its nuclear and conventional arsenals has raised questions about how it might use its might, sparking warnings from Washington that Mr Xi is eyeing an invasion of Taiwan. It is with that concern that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth demanded the Albanese government hike Australia's defence spending to at least 3.5 per cent — a request Mr Albanese has rejected even as his deputy and defence minister, Richard Marles, said China's military build-up is driving 'security anxiety' in Canberra. Brushing off the Trump administration's warnings as needless warmongering, the resistance to the US defence demand has not gone unnoticed in Beijing, which has eagerly seized on global trade uncertainty driven by tariffs. In an opinion piece on Thursday, the Global Times said Mr Albanese's 'trip has come at a time of global turmoil instigated by the US'. 'The prime minister's critics are accusing him of prioritising the China relationship over the US relationship, but this is a misrepresentation,' it read. 'The simple reality is that China is a reliable partner.' The piece went on to say 'Australia's relationship with the US has deteriorated' due to tariffs imposed 'despite Australia being the US' most reliable ally'. Mr Albanese met with China's President Xi Jinping on Tuesday. Source - PMO Credit: Supplied Mr Albanese visits The Great Wall of China with his fiance Jodie Haydon. NewsWire / Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer Credit: NewsWire 'The contrast between China's steady reliability and the US' erratic demands is being noticed by the Australian people – opinion polls in Australia show falling confidence in the US and rising confidence in China,' it claimed. Throughout the trip, Mr Albanese has leaned heavily on his mantra of co-operating with China where possible and disagreeing where necessary, making clear chasmic differences remain between Canberra and Beijing. But his messaging from the glitz of central Shanghai, to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, and the panda breeding capital of Chengdu, is that peace through trade and people-to-people ties are the best ways to navigate the challenges in the relationship. It is not a new approach — the EU took it with post-Soviet Russia and was blindsided after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Whether Mr Albanese's China push will make Australia vulnerable down the line will be a matter for future generations.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Meet the Hunter brickie taking the tools to the UK to show them how it's done
Bricklaying is an infamously competitive trade. In an industry where the wages are made by the brick, there was always going to be a sense of rivalry over who was the fastest on the line, whose work was clean and whose would stand the test of time. It is the work of generations, for generations - the legacy of fathers and grandfathers, carried by sons determined that their labours, too, should stand the ages. The English have turned that life's work into a sport - a competition where the best of the trade have one hour to raise a wall to building standard against the fastest brickies on the line to settle that continual job-site rivalry. The Super Trowel final is on August 13 and 14, and this year it will be contested by a wiry Hunter tradie with a mop of surfer's hair beneath his broad hat. Alec Ramon is a third-generation bricklayer. His grandfather, Willem Ramon, grew up in humble quarters in Sydney after emigrating from Holland. He took up the trade with his brothers to keep a roof over their heads. In time, his son followed in the tradition. It was only natural, then, that the third generation would follow too. Mr Ramon would tell you that his grandfather was the real craftsman. Notoriously fast, he would say, and impeccably neat. His father had the same reputation. "When I did my apprenticeship, I had a lot to live up to," Mr Ramon said. "As far as I'm concerned, Pop was the man. My old man would tell you the same. The best bricklayer in the world." In Mr Ramon's line of work, it would never be enough just to be fast. He finds quiet pride in a job done well. "You've probably walked past some little, old, forgotten front fence on the side of the road that's all overgrown," Mr Ramon said. "The bricklayer who built it is long gone - he's forgotten - but his work is still there. Once upon a time, that brick wall was the newest thing on the street." Mr Ramon's grandfather was ready to jump on the plane with him when he learnt his grandson was taking the family business to the world. The work is what mattered, sure, but seeing the family name go with him was a proud moment. Willem did not live to see Mr Ramon off to the United Kingdom. He died about two months ago. "He was very excited about this," Mr Ramon said. "He started it all. But that's - you know - he's still there." Mr Ramon will travel with his trusted labourer, Mathew Cookson, who will have his back on the line keeping the bricklayer under way. "A bricklayer is only as good as his labourer," Mr Ramon said. "You both have to find each other's rhythm and how you work. He keeps me going - he knows what I want and when I need it. There's a lot of communication without saying anything at all." Mr Ramon has garnered a social media following with his work, which in part helped him secure a spot on the international stage. Competitive bricklaying has picked up traction in the UK, and the Hunter contender has been bantering back and forth as the contest comes close. "I'm not afraid to say that I'm going to beat them," Mr Ramon said, with a hint of mischief. "We're better than them at cricket, so why can't we be better at bricklaying as well?" Mr Ramon wants you to understand the love he has for his work, to see what he sees in a line of neatly-laid bricks: effort that stands the test of time. "I love the old English castles," he said. "Because they were built the same way as I'm doing things now. It's all built the same way. Everything that I build is going to stay there." Mr Ramon and Mr Cookson are bound for the UK on August 8. Bricklaying is an infamously competitive trade. In an industry where the wages are made by the brick, there was always going to be a sense of rivalry over who was the fastest on the line, whose work was clean and whose would stand the test of time. It is the work of generations, for generations - the legacy of fathers and grandfathers, carried by sons determined that their labours, too, should stand the ages. The English have turned that life's work into a sport - a competition where the best of the trade have one hour to raise a wall to building standard against the fastest brickies on the line to settle that continual job-site rivalry. The Super Trowel final is on August 13 and 14, and this year it will be contested by a wiry Hunter tradie with a mop of surfer's hair beneath his broad hat. Alec Ramon is a third-generation bricklayer. His grandfather, Willem Ramon, grew up in humble quarters in Sydney after emigrating from Holland. He took up the trade with his brothers to keep a roof over their heads. In time, his son followed in the tradition. It was only natural, then, that the third generation would follow too. Mr Ramon would tell you that his grandfather was the real craftsman. Notoriously fast, he would say, and impeccably neat. His father had the same reputation. "When I did my apprenticeship, I had a lot to live up to," Mr Ramon said. "As far as I'm concerned, Pop was the man. My old man would tell you the same. The best bricklayer in the world." In Mr Ramon's line of work, it would never be enough just to be fast. He finds quiet pride in a job done well. "You've probably walked past some little, old, forgotten front fence on the side of the road that's all overgrown," Mr Ramon said. "The bricklayer who built it is long gone - he's forgotten - but his work is still there. Once upon a time, that brick wall was the newest thing on the street." Mr Ramon's grandfather was ready to jump on the plane with him when he learnt his grandson was taking the family business to the world. The work is what mattered, sure, but seeing the family name go with him was a proud moment. Willem did not live to see Mr Ramon off to the United Kingdom. He died about two months ago. "He was very excited about this," Mr Ramon said. "He started it all. But that's - you know - he's still there." Mr Ramon will travel with his trusted labourer, Mathew Cookson, who will have his back on the line keeping the bricklayer under way. "A bricklayer is only as good as his labourer," Mr Ramon said. "You both have to find each other's rhythm and how you work. He keeps me going - he knows what I want and when I need it. There's a lot of communication without saying anything at all." Mr Ramon has garnered a social media following with his work, which in part helped him secure a spot on the international stage. Competitive bricklaying has picked up traction in the UK, and the Hunter contender has been bantering back and forth as the contest comes close. "I'm not afraid to say that I'm going to beat them," Mr Ramon said, with a hint of mischief. "We're better than them at cricket, so why can't we be better at bricklaying as well?" Mr Ramon wants you to understand the love he has for his work, to see what he sees in a line of neatly-laid bricks: effort that stands the test of time. "I love the old English castles," he said. "Because they were built the same way as I'm doing things now. It's all built the same way. Everything that I build is going to stay there." Mr Ramon and Mr Cookson are bound for the UK on August 8. Bricklaying is an infamously competitive trade. In an industry where the wages are made by the brick, there was always going to be a sense of rivalry over who was the fastest on the line, whose work was clean and whose would stand the test of time. It is the work of generations, for generations - the legacy of fathers and grandfathers, carried by sons determined that their labours, too, should stand the ages. The English have turned that life's work into a sport - a competition where the best of the trade have one hour to raise a wall to building standard against the fastest brickies on the line to settle that continual job-site rivalry. The Super Trowel final is on August 13 and 14, and this year it will be contested by a wiry Hunter tradie with a mop of surfer's hair beneath his broad hat. Alec Ramon is a third-generation bricklayer. His grandfather, Willem Ramon, grew up in humble quarters in Sydney after emigrating from Holland. He took up the trade with his brothers to keep a roof over their heads. In time, his son followed in the tradition. It was only natural, then, that the third generation would follow too. Mr Ramon would tell you that his grandfather was the real craftsman. Notoriously fast, he would say, and impeccably neat. His father had the same reputation. "When I did my apprenticeship, I had a lot to live up to," Mr Ramon said. "As far as I'm concerned, Pop was the man. My old man would tell you the same. The best bricklayer in the world." In Mr Ramon's line of work, it would never be enough just to be fast. He finds quiet pride in a job done well. "You've probably walked past some little, old, forgotten front fence on the side of the road that's all overgrown," Mr Ramon said. "The bricklayer who built it is long gone - he's forgotten - but his work is still there. Once upon a time, that brick wall was the newest thing on the street." Mr Ramon's grandfather was ready to jump on the plane with him when he learnt his grandson was taking the family business to the world. The work is what mattered, sure, but seeing the family name go with him was a proud moment. Willem did not live to see Mr Ramon off to the United Kingdom. He died about two months ago. "He was very excited about this," Mr Ramon said. "He started it all. But that's - you know - he's still there." Mr Ramon will travel with his trusted labourer, Mathew Cookson, who will have his back on the line keeping the bricklayer under way. "A bricklayer is only as good as his labourer," Mr Ramon said. "You both have to find each other's rhythm and how you work. He keeps me going - he knows what I want and when I need it. There's a lot of communication without saying anything at all." Mr Ramon has garnered a social media following with his work, which in part helped him secure a spot on the international stage. Competitive bricklaying has picked up traction in the UK, and the Hunter contender has been bantering back and forth as the contest comes close. "I'm not afraid to say that I'm going to beat them," Mr Ramon said, with a hint of mischief. "We're better than them at cricket, so why can't we be better at bricklaying as well?" Mr Ramon wants you to understand the love he has for his work, to see what he sees in a line of neatly-laid bricks: effort that stands the test of time. "I love the old English castles," he said. "Because they were built the same way as I'm doing things now. It's all built the same way. Everything that I build is going to stay there." Mr Ramon and Mr Cookson are bound for the UK on August 8. Bricklaying is an infamously competitive trade. In an industry where the wages are made by the brick, there was always going to be a sense of rivalry over who was the fastest on the line, whose work was clean and whose would stand the test of time. It is the work of generations, for generations - the legacy of fathers and grandfathers, carried by sons determined that their labours, too, should stand the ages. The English have turned that life's work into a sport - a competition where the best of the trade have one hour to raise a wall to building standard against the fastest brickies on the line to settle that continual job-site rivalry. The Super Trowel final is on August 13 and 14, and this year it will be contested by a wiry Hunter tradie with a mop of surfer's hair beneath his broad hat. Alec Ramon is a third-generation bricklayer. His grandfather, Willem Ramon, grew up in humble quarters in Sydney after emigrating from Holland. He took up the trade with his brothers to keep a roof over their heads. In time, his son followed in the tradition. It was only natural, then, that the third generation would follow too. Mr Ramon would tell you that his grandfather was the real craftsman. Notoriously fast, he would say, and impeccably neat. His father had the same reputation. "When I did my apprenticeship, I had a lot to live up to," Mr Ramon said. "As far as I'm concerned, Pop was the man. My old man would tell you the same. The best bricklayer in the world." In Mr Ramon's line of work, it would never be enough just to be fast. He finds quiet pride in a job done well. "You've probably walked past some little, old, forgotten front fence on the side of the road that's all overgrown," Mr Ramon said. "The bricklayer who built it is long gone - he's forgotten - but his work is still there. Once upon a time, that brick wall was the newest thing on the street." Mr Ramon's grandfather was ready to jump on the plane with him when he learnt his grandson was taking the family business to the world. The work is what mattered, sure, but seeing the family name go with him was a proud moment. Willem did not live to see Mr Ramon off to the United Kingdom. He died about two months ago. "He was very excited about this," Mr Ramon said. "He started it all. But that's - you know - he's still there." Mr Ramon will travel with his trusted labourer, Mathew Cookson, who will have his back on the line keeping the bricklayer under way. "A bricklayer is only as good as his labourer," Mr Ramon said. "You both have to find each other's rhythm and how you work. He keeps me going - he knows what I want and when I need it. There's a lot of communication without saying anything at all." Mr Ramon has garnered a social media following with his work, which in part helped him secure a spot on the international stage. Competitive bricklaying has picked up traction in the UK, and the Hunter contender has been bantering back and forth as the contest comes close. "I'm not afraid to say that I'm going to beat them," Mr Ramon said, with a hint of mischief. "We're better than them at cricket, so why can't we be better at bricklaying as well?" Mr Ramon wants you to understand the love he has for his work, to see what he sees in a line of neatly-laid bricks: effort that stands the test of time. "I love the old English castles," he said. "Because they were built the same way as I'm doing things now. It's all built the same way. Everything that I build is going to stay there." Mr Ramon and Mr Cookson are bound for the UK on August 8.
AU Financial Review
4 days ago
- AU Financial Review
Airwallex inks sponsorship deal with English Premier League giant
One of Australia's biggest private companies, payments group Airwallex, has signed a major sports sponsorship with English football giant Arsenal weeks after raising $US300 million ($461 million) as it pushes for more clients into Europe and the US. Arsenal will use Airwallex as its payments platform and the tech company's branding will appear for at least the next two years around its home ground, north London's Emirates Stadium, under the terms of the deal.
