DOORSTOP MEDIA CONFERENCE
MURAL HALL - PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA
1045 AEST 23/07/2025
Senator Fatima Payman and ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett
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Senator Fatima Payman takes fight to online services
Communications Consumer group backs campaign
In an effort to save Australians billions of dollars in online subscriptions they don’t use, Western Australian Senator Fatima Payman has launched a new national campaign to crack down on subscription traps.
Dubbed the “Click to Cancel” campaign, Senator Payman’s push calls on the Albanese Government to introduce urgent legislation requiring businesses to make it just as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up, mirroring recent reforms introduced by the United States Federal Trade Commission, which although held up in court due to a technicality, is likely to soon be enforced.
“From busy parents and students to seniors and shift workers, these traps are catching everyone,” Senator Payman said.
“We’re not talking about one-off purchases, we’re talking about services that are quietly draining money every single month, simply because the cancellation process is designed to confuse and frustrate,” she said.
New research from the ING bank found 8.4 million Australians are still paying for services they don’t use. Many cite forgetting to cancel a free trial, not realising they still had the subscription, or struggling to work out how to cancel.
Senator Payman says it’s time for common-sense consumer protection laws.
“If it only takes one click to sign up, it should take one click to cancel. It’s that simple,” Senator Payman said.
The Click to Cancel campaign calls for:
- Mandatory simple cancellation options using the same method as sign-up, no more forcing people to call or navigate endless menus.
- A ban on drip pricing and hidden charges at checkout.
- Standardised renewal reminders, especially for auto-renewing free trials or yearly plans.
- A crackdown on manipulative urgency tactics that distort decision-making.
- A ban on forced account creation for one-time purchases.
- A prohibition on dynamic pricing that targets people based on their search history or device.
“Right now, big companies are exploiting confusion, digital fatigue, and poor regulation to quietly reach into Australians’ pockets,” Senator Payman said.
“This is digital daylight robbery!”
“The Government said they’d do something about it last October, but we’ve seen no action, no timeline, and no commitment to real reform. So, I’m stepping up.”
The Senator has launched a campaign petition: clicktocancel.com.au
The Click to Cancel campaign also includes a petition, a call for personal stories, and outreach to consumer advocacy groups like the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN).
“This is about fairness. Whether you're a student, a retiree, a parent, or just trying to make ends meet, you shouldn’t be trapped into paying for something you don’t want.”
“Australians are tired of being ripped off while the Government sits on its hands. It’s time to stop stalling and start legislating.”
The CEO of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), Carol Bennett, joined Senator Payman for the launch of the campaign.
“When nearly half of us are spending too long just trying to cancel a subscription - and one in ten give up altogether - it’s clear the system is designed this way.”
“Starting a subscription takes seconds. Cancelling it shouldn’t take hours. It’s time we ensure that cancellation processes are quick and simple, free from tricks and stalling tactics that have become all too common.”
“The time Australians spend trying to cancel subscriptions is time lost from work, rest, or doing literally anything more useful. If we’re serious about boosting productivity, fixing this is a no-brainer.”
Contact details:
Jeff Waters
Media & Communications Adviser
0498 111 261 (This week only)