Updated: 2 April 2024
We previously advised that AFCA paused complaints about Union Standard International Group Pty Ltd (USG) because it had been placed in liquidation and was unable to pay its debts.
We have a further update now because we have assessed whether complaints about USG might be eligible for a claim under a new Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) established by the Australian Government.
In June 2023, the Australian Government passed a law which says the new CSLR will be able to consider a claim for compensation if the consumer meets certain eligibility criteria.
AFCA reviewed complaints about USG and assessed they do not meet the eligibility requirements for the CSLR.
With the CSLR not available to USG complainants, and no prospect of compensation being paid by USG, AFCA is not authorised to continue considering these complaints, and these complaints will be closed.
We acknowledge USG complainants may be very disappointed by this outcome, after waiting patiently for further developments.
We have written to complainants explaining why we are unable to consider these cases.
Why we cannot consider USG complaints
AFCA assessed complaints against Union Standard International Group Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) are not eligible for the CSLR.
In June 2023, the Australian Government passed a law which says the new CSLR will be able to consider a claim for compensation if the consumer has received a favourable AFCA determination that the financial firm has not paid (for example, because it has gone into liquidation), and the financial service or product involved is one of those defined in the law.
Under the law, the CSLR is limited to complaints about:
- providing financial product advice that is personal advice to retail clients
- dealing in securities for retail clients
- engaging in a credit activity within the meaning of the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Cth).
In addition, on 31 January 2024, the Australian Government amended the conditions of the authorisation for AFCA to be Australia’s financial sector external dispute resolution scheme. This change means we cannot issue a decision (also known as a determination) in a complaint against a financial firm for certain financial services and credit activities if that firm:
- would be unlikely to pay any compensation awarded; and
- was not authorised (because of its licensing conditions) to provide the products or services within scope of the CSLR.
USG does not meet these licensing conditions, and AFCA is satisfied it would be unlikely to pay any compensation awarded.
We also note AFCA would not be able to resolve these complaints efficiently, effectively or fairly, as required under AFCA Rule A.2 and section 1051(4)(b) of Australia’s Corporations Act.
Therefore, it is appropriate AFCA exercises its discretion under Rule C.2.1 to not consider these complaints.
Our decision to exclude USG complaints has not been made lightly. The types of complaint AFCA can consider are set out in our Rules. If you would like more information about our Rules, you can go here.
What happens next
As outlined in the letter sent to all USG complainants, AFCA provides a 30-day period during which complainants may object to a decision to exclude a complaint. Any objection must be supported by evidence as to why the exclusion should not apply.
The financial firm ceased membership of AFCA on 11 November 2021
On 11 November 2021, Union Standard International Group Pty Ltd was expelled from AFCA membership.
金融机构： Union Standard International Group Pty Ltd（清算中）
我们之前曾告AFCA暂停受理对Union Standard International Group Pty Ltd（简称USG）的投诉，因为它正在清算之中，无法偿还欠债。
我们现在有了进一步消息，因为我们已研究对USG的投诉是否有资格在澳大利亚政府新推出的Compensation Scheme of Last Resort（最后求助赔偿计划，简称CSLR）下获得赔偿。
2023年6月，澳大利亚政府通过了一项法律，称如果消费者满足特定资格标准，新的CSLR将能够考虑索赔要求。
AFCA重新研究了对USG的投诉并确定它们不符合CSLR的资格要求。
鉴于CSLR对USG投诉不适用且USG支付赔偿款无望，AFCA没有继续受理这些投诉的授权，将关闭这些投诉案。
我们承认USG投诉人在耐心等待后得到这样一个结果会很失望。
我们已写信向投诉人解释我们为何无法受理这些案件。
我们为何无法受理对USG的投诉
经研究AFCA确定对Union Standard International Group Pty Ltd（清算中）的投诉不符合CSLR的资格标准。
2023年6月，澳大利亚政府通过了一项法律，称CSLR将能够考虑索赔要求，条件是消费者接到了一个有利的AFCA裁决，即金融机构未支付欠债（比如因为它正在进行清算）且所涉金融服务或产品是法律定义的金融服务或产品之一。
根据法律规定，CSLR仅限于有关以下问题的投诉：
- 向零散客户提供私人的金融产品咨询意见
- 为零散客户从事证券交易
- 从事2009年联邦全国消费者信贷保护法所指的信贷业务。
此外，2024年1月31日，澳大利亚政府修订了AFCA作为澳大利亚金融业外部纠纷化解机制的授权条件，这个变化意味着我们在以下情况不能对涉及某些金融服务及信贷业务的金融机构投诉案做决定（或称裁决）：
- 如果金融机构似不可能支付任何判给的赔偿金额；以及
- 如果金融机构无权（因其许可证条件）提供CSLR范围内的产品或服务。
USG不符合这些许可证条件，而且AFCA相信它不可能支付任何判给的赔偿金额。
我们还注意到AFCA无法按AFCA权限规定第A.2条及澳大利亚公司法第1051(4)(b)条的要求高效地、有效地或公平地解决这些投诉问题。
因此，AFCA可以行使权限规定第C.2.1条下的酌情权，对这些投诉不予受理。
我们不受理USG投诉的决定不是轻易做出的，我们无法进一步考虑这些投诉。
AFCA能够受理的投诉列在我们的权限规定里。如果你要了解我们权限规定的详情，你可以点击这里。
接下去怎么办
在给所有USG投诉人的去信中AFCA提供了一个30天的期限，在此期间投诉人可以对不受理投诉的决定提出反对意见。反对意见必须要有证据支持，解释为何不应该对投诉不予受理。
