Latest news with #Cass-Gottlieb
Sky News AU
26-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
'Renewable gas greenwashing' lands Australian Gas Networks in court after ACCC alleges company misled consumers
A major Australian gas company has been sued for alleged greenwashing after claiming it could deliver 'renewable gas' within a generation. Australian Gas Networks in 2022 and 2023 ran its 'Love Gas' advertising campaign where a father and his young daughter used gas appliances in the home for cooking, heating and bathing. The ad fast forwarded to the daughter as an adult where she was engaging in the same activities. A voiceover throughout the ads claimed Australian Gas Networks' "flame" was "becoming renewable" for "this generation and the next". The final frame of each ad showed the company's logo next to a green flame and the words 'Love gas. Love a renewable gas future'; or just 'Love Gas'. Australian Gas Networks is now heading to court as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission alleges the company engaged in 'greenwashing' through its ad campaign as it was overly ambitious with its renewables promises. 'We allege that the ads overstated the likelihood of Australian Gas Networks overcoming significant technical and economic barriers to distribute renewable gas to households within a generation,' ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said. 'It is not currently possible to distribute renewable gas at scale and at an economically viable price, and throughout 2022 and 2023 it was highly uncertain whether, and if so when, this would be possible. 'We allege that even though Australian Gas Networks knew the future of renewable gas was uncertain, it made an unqualified representation to consumers that it would distribute renewable gas to households within a generation.' The consumer watchdog alleges these ads encouraged customers to either become a customer with Australian Gas Networks or remain customers with the company based on the 'misleading impression' they would receive 'renewable gas' within a generation. 'We consider that consumers were deprived of the opportunity to make fully informed choices,' Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. The ads did not contain any fine print, qualifications or disclaimers regarding its 'renewable gas' claim. Australian Gas Networks provides gas to about 1.3 million homes and businesses primarily in Victoria and South Australia, however, it also services Queensland, NSW and the Northern Territory. Ms Cass-Gottlieb said businesses that misled consumers through environmental claims were making it more difficult for companies 'that are genuinely working to reduce their environmental impact'. 'Businesses that make environmental claims about the future must have reasonable grounds for those claims, or they will be taken to be misleading under the Australian Consumer Law,' the ACCC chair said. 'Businesses must take care when they promote emissions-reduction measures that their claims can be backed up with evidence, and that they are realistic about emerging energy technologies and when changes are likely to be achieved. 'Misleading claims not only break the trust of consumers, they also breach the Australian Consumer Law.' It follows Clorox Australia, the company behind Glad wrap, being forced to pay an $8.25 million fine for greenwashing after the ACCC took it to court for greenwashing. Similarly, Active Super was fined $10.5m by the Federal Court in March over deceptive marketing that led its customers to believe it eliminated investments that 'posed too great a risk to the environment and the community'.
Perth Now
26-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Greenwashing lawsuit to test 'overstated' gas claims
Millions of Australian consumers have been misled about the future of gas in a series of advertisements claiming the resource will become renewable within a generation, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says. The regulator has launched what it calls its biggest greenwashing lawsuit against Australian Gas Networks over the campaign in Federal Court on Thursday, alleging it "overstated" the likelihood of producing renewable gas. But the company behind the claims has called the legal action disappointing and will defend its actions. The court case follows complaints about the ads from viewers and the Australian Conservation Foundation, and comes in a week in which the City of Sydney and the Victoria government have refined plans to phase-out gas appliances and hot water systems. Four Australian Gas Networks advertisements ran on free-to-air television and streaming services for eight months in 2022 and three months in 2023, featuring a young girl and her father using gas appliances. Statements aired in the advertisements included claims gas was "becoming renewable," was "for this generation and the next," and ended with the line "love a renewable gas future". Renewable gases, such as hydrogen and biomethane, are not available to Australian consumers. The advertisements did not include qualifications for its statements, ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said. "We allege that the ads overstated the likelihood of Australian Gas Networks overcoming significant technical and economic barriers to distribute renewable gas to households within a generation," she said. "It is not currently possible to distribute renewable gas at scale and at an economically viable price and throughout 2022 and 2023 it was highly uncertain whether and, if so, when this would be possible." Making unfounded claims about renewable energy could deprive consumers "of the opportunity to make fully informed choices" about their future appliances and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. The commission will seek declarations, penalties and costs from Australian Gas Networks, although she said it was "very focused on in-principle penalties" to deter greenwashing claims. Fines for breaching Australian Consumer Law can reach $50 million for corporations. In a statement, Australian Gas Networks said it would defend its advertisements and the allegations made against it. "We always strive to provide clear and accurate communications about the role and benefits of natural gas today and renewable gas into the future," the statement said. "For this reason, we are disappointed with the ACCC's decision to take proceedings and will be defending these claims." Australian Gas Networks operates pipelines and distribution networks that service 1.3 million businesses and households in South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, NSW and the Northern Territory.
The Advertiser
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Call for laws to stop harm to consumers, firms online
Australia needs new laws and regulations to prevent significant harm to consumers and businesses from the exploitative practices of US tech giants. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued the warning in its final Digital Platform Services report on Monday, following five years of monitoring social networks, online marketplaces, app stores and search engines. The 408-page report issued six recommendations but also raised future areas of concern including a lack of competition in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services, and risky behaviour involving online video games. The report comes six months after the federal government launched a public consultation into digital competition proposals, and after several tech firms complained to US officials about Australia's current digital media laws. The commission's tenth and final report highlighted four existing and two new recommendations to address anti-competitive and harmful behaviour from online platforms, and chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said existing laws were not equipped to protect Australians. "While these services have brought many benefits, they have also created harms that our current competition and consumer laws cannot adequately address," she said. "This is why we continue to recommend that targeted regulation of digital platform services is needed to increase competition and innovation and protect consumers in digital markets." Existing recommendations included a ban on unfair trading practices, enforceable codes of conduct for designated digital platforms including competition protections, and mandatory processes to help consumers, including removing scams and harmful apps, verifying advertisers, and introducing a digital ombudsman to handle disputes. A consumer survey conducted for the report found more than eight in 10 Australians supported the introduction of an independent dispute resolution body to handle complaints. Support was highest for the policing of general online marketplaces, like Amazon, Temu and eBay, followed by social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and online messaging platforms. The report also recommended the continued monitoring of online services and a permanent Digital Platform Regulators Forum comprised of existing media regulatory bodies to collaborate on streamlined legal reforms. Future areas of concern for the commission included the regulation of digital video games, such as the risk of accidental in-game spending, consumer harm from paid loot-boxes, and clear purchasing contracts. The report also noted concerns about a lack of competition in generative AI services and cloud computing, which could be dominated by firms including Amazon, Microsoft and Google. "Harms to competition in the generative AI sector could hamper innovation, result in lower quality products and services, and force Australian businesses and consumers to pay more than they otherwise would to utilise this technology," Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. The report completes the inquiry called by then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg in February 2020, and the Labor government has since committed to several changes based on its recommendations, including a ban on unfair trading practices. The government's consultation into proposed digital competition changes, including laws to govern app marketplaces, online advertising and social media, closed in February. Australia needs new laws and regulations to prevent significant harm to consumers and businesses from the exploitative practices of US tech giants. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued the warning in its final Digital Platform Services report on Monday, following five years of monitoring social networks, online marketplaces, app stores and search engines. The 408-page report issued six recommendations but also raised future areas of concern including a lack of competition in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services, and risky behaviour involving online video games. The report comes six months after the federal government launched a public consultation into digital competition proposals, and after several tech firms complained to US officials about Australia's current digital media laws. The commission's tenth and final report highlighted four existing and two new recommendations to address anti-competitive and harmful behaviour from online platforms, and chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said existing laws were not equipped to protect Australians. "While these services have brought many benefits, they have also created harms that our current competition and consumer laws cannot adequately address," she said. "This is why we continue to recommend that targeted regulation of digital platform services is needed to increase competition and innovation and protect consumers in digital markets." Existing recommendations included a ban on unfair trading practices, enforceable codes of conduct for designated digital platforms including competition protections, and mandatory processes to help consumers, including removing scams and harmful apps, verifying advertisers, and introducing a digital ombudsman to handle disputes. A consumer survey conducted for the report found more than eight in 10 Australians supported the introduction of an independent dispute resolution body to handle complaints. Support was highest for the policing of general online marketplaces, like Amazon, Temu and eBay, followed by social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and online messaging platforms. The report also recommended the continued monitoring of online services and a permanent Digital Platform Regulators Forum comprised of existing media regulatory bodies to collaborate on streamlined legal reforms. Future areas of concern for the commission included the regulation of digital video games, such as the risk of accidental in-game spending, consumer harm from paid loot-boxes, and clear purchasing contracts. The report also noted concerns about a lack of competition in generative AI services and cloud computing, which could be dominated by firms including Amazon, Microsoft and Google. "Harms to competition in the generative AI sector could hamper innovation, result in lower quality products and services, and force Australian businesses and consumers to pay more than they otherwise would to utilise this technology," Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. The report completes the inquiry called by then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg in February 2020, and the Labor government has since committed to several changes based on its recommendations, including a ban on unfair trading practices. The government's consultation into proposed digital competition changes, including laws to govern app marketplaces, online advertising and social media, closed in February. Australia needs new laws and regulations to prevent significant harm to consumers and businesses from the exploitative practices of US tech giants. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued the warning in its final Digital Platform Services report on Monday, following five years of monitoring social networks, online marketplaces, app stores and search engines. The 408-page report issued six recommendations but also raised future areas of concern including a lack of competition in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services, and risky behaviour involving online video games. The report comes six months after the federal government launched a public consultation into digital competition proposals, and after several tech firms complained to US officials about Australia's current digital media laws. The commission's tenth and final report highlighted four existing and two new recommendations to address anti-competitive and harmful behaviour from online platforms, and chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said existing laws were not equipped to protect Australians. "While these services have brought many benefits, they have also created harms that our current competition and consumer laws cannot adequately address," she said. "This is why we continue to recommend that targeted regulation of digital platform services is needed to increase competition and innovation and protect consumers in digital markets." Existing recommendations included a ban on unfair trading practices, enforceable codes of conduct for designated digital platforms including competition protections, and mandatory processes to help consumers, including removing scams and harmful apps, verifying advertisers, and introducing a digital ombudsman to handle disputes. A consumer survey conducted for the report found more than eight in 10 Australians supported the introduction of an independent dispute resolution body to handle complaints. Support was highest for the policing of general online marketplaces, like Amazon, Temu and eBay, followed by social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and online messaging platforms. The report also recommended the continued monitoring of online services and a permanent Digital Platform Regulators Forum comprised of existing media regulatory bodies to collaborate on streamlined legal reforms. Future areas of concern for the commission included the regulation of digital video games, such as the risk of accidental in-game spending, consumer harm from paid loot-boxes, and clear purchasing contracts. The report also noted concerns about a lack of competition in generative AI services and cloud computing, which could be dominated by firms including Amazon, Microsoft and Google. "Harms to competition in the generative AI sector could hamper innovation, result in lower quality products and services, and force Australian businesses and consumers to pay more than they otherwise would to utilise this technology," Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. The report completes the inquiry called by then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg in February 2020, and the Labor government has since committed to several changes based on its recommendations, including a ban on unfair trading practices. The government's consultation into proposed digital competition changes, including laws to govern app marketplaces, online advertising and social media, closed in February. Australia needs new laws and regulations to prevent significant harm to consumers and businesses from the exploitative practices of US tech giants. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued the warning in its final Digital Platform Services report on Monday, following five years of monitoring social networks, online marketplaces, app stores and search engines. The 408-page report issued six recommendations but also raised future areas of concern including a lack of competition in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services, and risky behaviour involving online video games. The report comes six months after the federal government launched a public consultation into digital competition proposals, and after several tech firms complained to US officials about Australia's current digital media laws. The commission's tenth and final report highlighted four existing and two new recommendations to address anti-competitive and harmful behaviour from online platforms, and chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said existing laws were not equipped to protect Australians. "While these services have brought many benefits, they have also created harms that our current competition and consumer laws cannot adequately address," she said. "This is why we continue to recommend that targeted regulation of digital platform services is needed to increase competition and innovation and protect consumers in digital markets." Existing recommendations included a ban on unfair trading practices, enforceable codes of conduct for designated digital platforms including competition protections, and mandatory processes to help consumers, including removing scams and harmful apps, verifying advertisers, and introducing a digital ombudsman to handle disputes. A consumer survey conducted for the report found more than eight in 10 Australians supported the introduction of an independent dispute resolution body to handle complaints. Support was highest for the policing of general online marketplaces, like Amazon, Temu and eBay, followed by social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and online messaging platforms. The report also recommended the continued monitoring of online services and a permanent Digital Platform Regulators Forum comprised of existing media regulatory bodies to collaborate on streamlined legal reforms. Future areas of concern for the commission included the regulation of digital video games, such as the risk of accidental in-game spending, consumer harm from paid loot-boxes, and clear purchasing contracts. The report also noted concerns about a lack of competition in generative AI services and cloud computing, which could be dominated by firms including Amazon, Microsoft and Google. "Harms to competition in the generative AI sector could hamper innovation, result in lower quality products and services, and force Australian businesses and consumers to pay more than they otherwise would to utilise this technology," Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. The report completes the inquiry called by then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg in February 2020, and the Labor government has since committed to several changes based on its recommendations, including a ban on unfair trading practices. The government's consultation into proposed digital competition changes, including laws to govern app marketplaces, online advertising and social media, closed in February.
Canberra Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- Canberra Times
Call for laws to stop harm to consumers, firms online
"Harms to competition in the generative AI sector could hamper innovation, result in lower quality products and services, and force Australian businesses and consumers to pay more than they otherwise would to utilise this technology," Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
Perth Now
23-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Call for laws to stop harm to consumers, firms online
Australia needs new laws and regulations to prevent significant harm to consumers and businesses from the exploitative practices of US tech giants. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued the warning in its final Digital Platform Services report on Monday, following five years of monitoring social networks, online marketplaces, app stores and search engines. The 408-page report issued six recommendations but also raised future areas of concern including a lack of competition in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services, and risky behaviour involving online video games. The report comes six months after the federal government launched a public consultation into digital competition proposals, and after several tech firms complained to US officials about Australia's current digital media laws. The commission's tenth and final report highlighted four existing and two new recommendations to address anti-competitive and harmful behaviour from online platforms, and chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said existing laws were not equipped to protect Australians. "While these services have brought many benefits, they have also created harms that our current competition and consumer laws cannot adequately address," she said. "This is why we continue to recommend that targeted regulation of digital platform services is needed to increase competition and innovation and protect consumers in digital markets." Existing recommendations included a ban on unfair trading practices, enforceable codes of conduct for designated digital platforms including competition protections, and mandatory processes to help consumers, including removing scams and harmful apps, verifying advertisers, and introducing a digital ombudsman to handle disputes. A consumer survey conducted for the report found more than eight in 10 Australians supported the introduction of an independent dispute resolution body to handle complaints. Support was highest for the policing of general online marketplaces, like Amazon, Temu and eBay, followed by social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and online messaging platforms. The report also recommended the continued monitoring of online services and a permanent Digital Platform Regulators Forum comprised of existing media regulatory bodies to collaborate on streamlined legal reforms. Future areas of concern for the commission included the regulation of digital video games, such as the risk of accidental in-game spending, consumer harm from paid loot-boxes, and clear purchasing contracts. The report also noted concerns about a lack of competition in generative AI services and cloud computing, which could be dominated by firms including Amazon, Microsoft and Google. "Harms to competition in the generative AI sector could hamper innovation, result in lower quality products and services, and force Australian businesses and consumers to pay more than they otherwise would to utilise this technology," Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. "It is critical that the proposed digital competition regime enable the ACCC to continue monitoring changes to services it has previously examined, as well as new technologies that emerge over time." The report completes the inquiry called by then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg in February 2020, and the Labor government has since committed to several changes based on its recommendations, including a ban on unfair trading practices. The government's consultation into proposed digital competition changes, including laws to govern app marketplaces, online advertising and social media, closed in February.
