Borrow
Consumer Data Right legislation subject of new review
Just weeks after pushing back the launch of open banking, the government has announced a new inquiry into the Consumer Data Right it legislated for last year – reportedly to further examine how it can be used to further support innovation and competition.

Consumer Data Right legislation subject of new review
Just weeks after pushing back the launch of open banking, the government has announced a new inquiry into the Consumer Data Right it legislated for last year – reportedly to further examine how it can be used to further support innovation and competition.

The Consumer Data Right Bill was passed through Parliament in August of last year, which marked a “critical step” in reform, according to the Morrison government at the time.
The announcement of the inquiry comes after the deadline for the launch of open banking was pushed back earlier this month.
The Consumer Data Right (CDR) provides consumers with greater access to personal information and gives them the power to instruct businesses to provide safe and secure data access to trusted third parties – allowing for comparison in the market.
It also is expected to allow new competitors to more easily enter the market and challenge existing providers.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has said the inquiry and review will be undertaken by Scott Farrell, who previously undertook the formative review that gave rise to the original CDR legislation.
The inquiry is expected to review how the CDR regime can be expanded beyond its current “read” access to include “write” access to enable customers to apply for and manage products and how it can be leveraged with other frameworks to enhance security, efficiency and the consumer experience.
It will also look to “further” overcome behavioural and regulatory barriers for the convenient and efficient changing over between product and providers for consumers, and how this can be enhanced through global developments in the field with respect to similar reforms.
The terms of reference for the inquiry indicated that the review will have regard to the RBA’s New Payments Platform: Conclusions Paper, the ACCC’s home loan price inquiry, the government’s response to the ACCC Digital Platforms inquiry, best practice developments internationally and across other sectors, and competition, fairness, innovation, efficiency, regulatory compliance costs and consumer protection.
The review is expected to report by September 2020.
About the author

About the author


Banking
368k Australians potentially eligible for Westpac class action: Are you one of them?
The Federal Court is set to notify 368,000 Australians that they might be eligible to join a consumer credit class action against the big four bank. ...Read more

Banking
Government introduces royal commission laws
The government is striving to implement a number of the royal commission recommendations in a package that was recently introduced to Parliament. ...Read more

Banking
ANZ cops $10m penalty for wrongful fees
The Federal Court of Australia has found that banking giant ANZ engaged in unconscionable conduct and breached its obligations as a financial services licensee. ...Read more

Banking
How $800m could make banking better
The federal government’s digital business plan to drive Australia’s economic recovery “will make banking faster and easier”, according to an industry group. ...Read more

Banking
How sneaky fees could be costing you hundreds
As many as a quarter of Australians are being stung with unknown, unfair or incorrect banking fees, with the costs adding up during the COVID-19 pandemic, an expert has revealed. ...Read more

Banking
Westpac hit with biggest fine in corporate history
Australian banking and financial services giant Westpac has reached an agreement with AUSTRAC to pay $1.3 billion for breaching anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws. ...Read more

Banking
6 ways to know you need a new bank
Unhappy with your current bank? Here’s how to know if you need to make a change. ...Read more

Banking
The banks beating the big 4 when it comes to customer satisfaction
Midsize banks are the biggest winners in a new survey of bank customer satisfaction. ...Read more

Banking
368k Australians potentially eligible for Westpac class action: Are you one of them?
The Federal Court is set to notify 368,000 Australians that they might be eligible to join a consumer credit class action against the big four bank. ...Read more

Banking
Government introduces royal commission laws
The government is striving to implement a number of the royal commission recommendations in a package that was recently introduced to Parliament. ...Read more

Banking
ANZ cops $10m penalty for wrongful fees
The Federal Court of Australia has found that banking giant ANZ engaged in unconscionable conduct and breached its obligations as a financial services licensee. ...Read more

Banking
How $800m could make banking better
The federal government’s digital business plan to drive Australia’s economic recovery “will make banking faster and easier”, according to an industry group. ...Read more

Banking
How sneaky fees could be costing you hundreds
As many as a quarter of Australians are being stung with unknown, unfair or incorrect banking fees, with the costs adding up during the COVID-19 pandemic, an expert has revealed. ...Read more

Banking
Westpac hit with biggest fine in corporate history
Australian banking and financial services giant Westpac has reached an agreement with AUSTRAC to pay $1.3 billion for breaching anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws. ...Read more

Banking
6 ways to know you need a new bank
Unhappy with your current bank? Here’s how to know if you need to make a change. ...Read more

Banking
The banks beating the big 4 when it comes to customer satisfaction
Midsize banks are the biggest winners in a new survey of bank customer satisfaction. ...Read more