The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) plans to investigate environmentally friendly marketing claims receiving complaints about the widespread "greenwashing" of consumer and industrial products.

The investigation was triggered by a spate of complaints, including Corporate Watch Australia’s complaint to the ACCC last year regarding Toyota’s misleading statistics regarding reducing greenhouse gas emissions, used by the company in advertisements promoting the vehicle.

The Democracy for Burma Action Group in Perth has launched a new campaign targeting Western Australian oil and gas exploration company, Twinza Ltd.

Twinza Oil Ltd was registered in Australia on October 27 2004 as a vehicle for developing oil and gas exploration in Burma. In November 2006 Twinza Oil signed a deal with the Burmese regime to conduct exploration and development, and now has exploration rights over the offshore Yetagun East Block in the south of Burma.

27 Mar 08

Shooting of Filipino villager by security guard of Melbourne based miner, OceanaGold, highlights need for independent oversight

Oxfam Australia is calling for an independent inquiry to determine whether the opposition of residents in a remote community in the Philippines is being appropriately responded to by Melbourne based mine operator OceanaGold, which plans to develop a gold and copper mine in the village of Didipio. The move follows reports that a security guard from the mine shot and wounded a villager. 

According to The Philippine Daily Inquirer, the incident took place at around 11am on Easter Saturday 22 March when a demolition team from OceanaGold commenced tearing down the home of a local resident, reportedly asleep in the house at the time. According to the acting provincial police director, a group of local men rushed to the aid of the sleeping man and, in the process, one of the local men, Emilio Pumihic, was shot in the arm by a guard of OceanaGold. 

‘This is a very serious incident,’ said Oxfam Australia’s Mining Ombudsman, Shanta Martin. ‘An independent inquiry is needed to inquire into grievances that have long been raised by opponents to the mine operation and the extent to which OceanaGold’s actions are consistent with the human rights of those that have lived in Didipio for generations,’ Ms Martin said. 

The incident follows a report published last year by Oxfam Australia, following five years of investigation, which found that many villagers in Didipio complained of harassment and intimidation by agents of the Melbourne-based mine operator. Alleged tactics included attempting to pressure people to sell their land at a price determined by OceanaGold and threatening legal proceedings against illiterate farmers – allegations flatly denied by OceanaGold. 

Oxfam Australia called on the Australian mining industry and parliament to establish an independent complaints mechanism to help resolve complaints from communities affected by Australian mining operations overseas and avoid situations such as those that are now occurring in Didipio.

The Corporate Watch report on HRL Ltd, in conjunction with Friends of the  Earth, 'Burning Coal at Three 
Minutes to Midnight' is now available.  The report sheds light on the government grants and 
business interests behind the proposed HRL coal fire power plant in the Latrobe Valley of  Victoria.

With $150 million of state and federal government grants, this new  coal fire power station has 

A Melbourne based mine operator has been accused by Filipino villagers of harassment and the use of strong arm tactics to pressure them to accept its plans to develop a large gold and copper mine, according to a new report published today by Oxfam Australia.

Oxfam Australia raised these concerns with the company, most recently in July 2007, and recommended they investigate. But to date the mining company has failed to address community grievances. In the absence of an adequate company response, Oxfam is now making public the findings of its investigation.

Our complaint last week to the ACCC regarding advertising for the Toyota Prius has received some some media coverage this week. We have argued Toyota's claim that "if everyone drove a Prius … then each one of us could reduce our greenhouse gasses by 1 tonne per year" are based on misleading figures.

Both the Sydney Morning Herald and online news service Brisbane Times ran a piece on it.

We will receive a reply from the ACCC within 28 days and we'll keep you up to date with any developments.

CHOICE has joined with Consumer Action Law Centre in running a campaign against the exorbitant fees charged by banks and is providing advice on reclaiming these fees.

www.fairfees.com.au also provides the "low down" on fees, asks you to speak out against fees and encourages you to tell your story.

Media Release 22 June 2007
For Immediate Release

Corporate watchdog Corporate Watch Australia (CWA) has today accused Toyota Australia of making false and misleading claims about its Prius hybrid car, and requested that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) require that Toyota withdraw the ads.

Corporate Watch Australia has lodged a complaint with the ACCC against Toyota for falsely claiming in its advertisements for the Prius.

that “if everyone drove a Prius . . . then each one of us could reduce our greenhouse gasses by 1 tonne per year.”

CWA coordinator Hammy Goonan said today that “Not only does this ad fail to take into account those who would actually increase their emissions by driving a Prius – like cyclists and public transport users – but the claim is also based on misleading figures.”

“The figures used by Toyota are based on an Australian driving 25,000 km a year. However, according to the most recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics the average distance driven by a passenger vehicle in Australia was only 14,800 km a year.” Mr Goonan said.

“Toyota has an international reputation for lying to consumers about the environmental benefits of its products. The company was recently forced by the UK Advertising Standards Authority to withdraw similar advertising in the UK. But they’re still trying the same lies on Australian consumers.”