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2024 Shonky Awards

Our 2024 Shonky Award winners revealed

CHOICE reveals the worst products and services we have uncovered this year, crowning them the 19th Annual 2024 Shonky Award winners.

2024 Shonky Awards

Meta: The Shonky Award for... failing to protect Aussies from scams

2024 Shonky Awards

NIB: The Shonky Award for... squeezing single parents

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2024 Shonky Awards

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Have your say on shonky insurance

Health insurers often charge single parents a much bigger premium hike to add their children to their policy than two-parent families, and NIB is the worst offender of a shonky bunch.

Have your say now to show NIB and the health insurance industry that people expect them to treat single parents fairly.

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  • FEB 2024

    Support for Youpla/ACBF victims

    The Government announces $97 million to the Youpla Support Program to assist some victims. Thanks to ongoing advocacy by First Nations advocates, policyholders, and community organisations.

  • DEC 2023

    Win for fairness in financial advice

    The Government announces that the best interests duty for financial advisers will stay in place, following advocacy to keep it by CHOICE and other groups. The rule ensures customers get helpful advice of a high standard.

  • DEC 2023

    Coles refunds thousands of customers

    Following our complaint to the ACCC about Coles' false 'locked' price claims, the supermarket apologises for raising prices of 20 products before the end of promotional periods and refunds thousands of customers.

  • SEPT 2023

    Stronger renters’ rights in Vic

    After a CHOICE report exposing invasive rent-tech, the Victorian Government commits to strengthening renters' rights, including restrictions on personal information collection and retention.

  • SEPT 2023

    Bank execs on notice as new rules pass

    New legislation, the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR), passes. Once in force, the rules will hold top executives accountable for misconduct by banks, super funds or insurers. They are backed up by strong penalties.

  • AUG 2023

    Qantas backs down on COVID credits

    Qantas removes the expiry date on credits for customers who had flights cancelled due to COVID, and allows them to ask for a refund. This follows our campaigns on travel rights, including awarding Qantas a Shonky for its behaviour in 2022.

  • JUNE 2023

    Win for victims of financial misconduct

    A banking royal commission reform passes after decades of pressure from consumer groups. The compensation scheme of last resort will provide compensation for many victims.

  • MAY 2023

    Super advocate receives further funding

    The Government commits an additional five years of funding to continue consumer advocacy in the superannuation sector.

  • MAY 2023

    Consumer protections from scams

    The Government commits $86.5 million in funding to combat scams, including the establishment of the National Anti-Scams Centre.

  • DEC 2022

    ACCC takes action on shonky Bloomex

    Following its 2022 Shonky Award, Bloomex is taken to court for publishing misleading online star ratings and price representations.

  • NOV 2022

    Grieving WA consumers now protected

    Funeral operators must now display prices publicly and provide key information without requiring people to meet with a sales representative.

  • OCT 2022

    New fines for breaching consumer rights

    Companies who harm, mislead or deceive consumers will face up to 5x greater penalties. For the first time ever, companies who rely on unfair contract terms will also face penalties.

  • OCT 2022

    Timeshare taken to task

    Ultiqa will pay a $900,000 penalty for breaching financial advice protections for consumers thanks to action from ASIC. We raised the alarm in our super complaint in May 2021.

  • SEPT 2022

    A ban on binary options

    These dodgy financial products share many characteristics with high risk gambling. CHOICE supported a ban to prevent consumer harm, and ASIC has extended that ban until 1 October 2031.

  • AUG 2022

    South Australia joins school banking ban

    Private banks are banned from school banking programs in South Australia, joining Victoria, NSW, Queensland and ACT state governments. We awarded Dollarmites a Shonky in 2018.

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