Holden owners join class action lawsuit over faulty vehicles
Holden owners sue for dodgy transmissions, the $13.6 billion back-to-school bill, and how 'maze-like' unsubscribe traps can turn new year goals into nightmares. Here are five things you may have missed this week.
Class action could drive big payout for Holden fans
Law firm Maurice Blackburn has launched a class action against General Motors Australia in a bid to claim compensation for alleged faulty transmissions found in 13 popular Holden models.
The vehicles can allegedly experience a range of problems - from intermittent transmission shudders to greater servicing requirements.
The class action relates to Holden vehicles equipped with a GM 6L45, GM 6L50 and GM 6L80 transmissions.
This includes the Commodore VE, Colorado 7, and VE and VF utes.
The last Aussie-made Holden rolled off the production line in 2017, so you won't find the iconic brand among new car sales, but that won't stop current - and former - Holden owners joining the class action.
The models in question were sold after January 1, 2011, but you can register for the class action even if you've sold the vehicle or it's been written off.
Hundreds of thousands of Australians are expected to be eligible to join the class action.
Maurice Blackburn claims it has achieved $100 million-plus settlements in previous actions.
Head to the Maurice Blackburn website to register your interest.
Back to school costs parents $13.6 billion
Parents may be eagerly awaiting the relative calm that follows the end of the summer holidays, but it also brings the financial pain of annual education expenses.
According to Finder, parents will spend $13.6 billion on back to school costs in 2025.
On average, it costs $2671 to send a child to primary school in 2025 and $5043 per high school student after allowing for tuition, school supplies and other expenses.
While tuition fees are the biggest school expense, parents say uniforms and tech devices are the two highest non-tuition costs.
Families keen to save on tech gear may want to check out the Lenova laptop on sale at Aldi for $299, or the Lenova Chromebook priced at $199 through JB HiFi.
Beware of new year subscription traps
With the new year comes new resolutions, and plenty of us will plan to tackle goals to get fitter, lose weight or eat better by signing up to a local gym, meal-kit provider or wellness app.
The catch is that these subscriptions can be hard to back out of.
The federal government is warning of a rise in dodgy practices that make it almost impossible to unsubscribe.
These subscription traps can cost consumers hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and often involve jumping through maze-like 'unsubscribe' hoops to back out of the service.
A survey by the Consumer Policy Research Centre found 75% of Australians with subscriptions have had a negative experience trying to cancel a subscription. One in 10 gave up trying to unsubscribe and ended up continuing to pay the fees.
Minister for Financial Services, Stephen Jones, says the government is planning to "introduce legislation that will impose penalties on businesses who choose to continue trying to rip off Australians."
In the meantime, Jones recommends being alert to tactics that make it difficult to unsubscribe as well as free trials that automatically renew without any warnings.
Power bills: 80% of Australians could pay less
Australians are being urged to shop around for a better value electricity plan in 2025.
Retail electricity prices fell in 2024 but consumer watchdog, the ACCC, says many households aren't feeling the benefit.
An ACCC report found more than 80% of households could move to a cheaper electricity plan if they shopped around or just contacted their electricity provider about a cheaper plan.
"If you haven't changed electricity plans in the past 12 months, chances are you are paying more for your electricity than you need to," says ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey.
The report notes that households who've been on the same plan for more than a year are paying $238 more each year than households on newer offers.
Airfares set to take off by up to 13.7%
If your 2025 plans include flying away on vacation, booking flights well in advance could lock in solid savings.
The annual Amex Air Monitor report says airfares within, and from, Australia are set to take-off this year.
The report predicts domestic economy-class airfares will jump 13.7% compared to 2024 prices.
Fares from Australia to Asia are forecast to rise 12%, and flights to New Zealand are set to increase by 8.2%.
According to Amex, the collapse of two Australian carriers - Bonza and Rex Airlines, in 2024 are a key factor driving up local fares.
On a global level, fuel costs, a shortage of pilots, and investments by airlines in customer comfort initiatives (such as improving seating) are driving fares higher.
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