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TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin;
- Optus accused of selling unwanted products to hundreds of vulnerable customers;
- The number of scams in Australia reaches a record high;
- And in sport, Tottenham have defeated Manchester City in a massive upset in the League Cup.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is suing Optus alleging it engaged in unconscionable conduct when selling phone products to vulnerable customers.
Many were First Nations customers from remote and regional areas, as well as customers living with disabilities or disadvantages including unemployment and low financial and legal literacy.
The ACCC claims Optus sold goods and services to hundreds of consumers that they did not want or need.
The telecommunications company is accused of then pursuing consumers for debts that resulted from those sales.
Optus interim CEO Michael Venter has apologised for the distress caused by the inappropriate sales practices.
Mr Venter says the company was remediating affected customers by providing refunds, waiving debts, and allowing customers to keep devices.
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The number of scams in Australia has hit a record high according to a new annual report from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.
The report tracked the number of complaints made to the independent ombudsman and found scams were one of the top reasons for making a complaint.
The amount of scam-related complaints to AFCA rose by a whopping 81 per cent in 2023 to 2024, meaning almost 11 thousand Australians have made complaints about being scammed.
The report found phishing, spoofing and remote access scams were widespread, while there had also been a significant increase in bank impersonation scams.
Romance scams and investment scams, which often involve transferring funds to cryptocurrency platforms, were also common.
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Australians would have unlimited access to free mental health care, under a key election policy released by the Greens.
The proposal would see the cap on mental health appointments covered by Medicare removed and the rebate increased to $150 a session.
Free sessions with psychologists would be made available at healthcare clinics across the country.
Greens leader Adam Bandt says Australians deserve better access to mental health care.
"In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should be able to get the health care they need, including mental health care. But unfortunately, many people around the country just can't afford it."
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Employers are calling for businesses to put more focus on preventative measures when it comes to sexual harassment at a major conference in New South Wales.
About 100 employers have met with government representatives to discuss how to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
It follows the New South Wales government's establishment of a dedicated task force to address the issue in late 2023.
Trent Curtin is the acting deputy secretary of Safe Work NSW, and says Australian businesses need to do more.
"Sexual harassment is a pervasive issue in all industries, at all levels in businesses across Australia. One in three workers in Australian businesses have been affected by sexual harassment in the workplace and this is unacceptable. Safe Work NSW is working with unions, industry and businesses to raise awareness about the concerns around sexual harassment in the workplace, but to change our focus to action."
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Ange Postecoglou's bid to end Tottenham's trophy drought is on track after an impressive win against Manchester City in the League Cup.
Timo Werner set Spurs on the way to victory with his first goal of the season arriving after just five minutes.
Pape Sarr doubled the advantage 20 minutes later with a long-range effort and although City pulled one back just before halftime it wasn't enough.
City, without star striker Erling Haaland on the side, fell to its first defeat of the season.
Ange Postecoglou says there's still tough competition ahead.
"There's still some decent teams in there, we're only in the quarter final stage but for us what's important is we're in it and as long as we stay in it we've got a chance."
Tottenham will meet Manchester United next.
