The Price is Wrong! Gouging, Shrinkflation and Consumer Law

Join our free forum on consumer rights to get practical tips, real insights, and the confidence to tackle consumer legal problems.

Past event
Jun 10, 2026
6:00 pm
Jun 10, 2026
7:30 pm
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
-
7:30 pm
Jun 10, 2026
In person at the Wheeler Centre, Melbourne and live online
Watch the recording of the full event.

Bought something that didn’t deliver? Paid more for something than you thought it was worth? You’re not alone.  

Issues with goods and services are among the most common legal problems experienced by Victorians. Amplified by the cost-of-living crisis, consumer problems can lead you into a spiral of costs, confusion and stress – at the checkout and well beyond.

However, there is something you can do. There are laws to protect consumers from price gouging and other sneaky sales tactics.

The Law and You Forum will show you how it works, who can help, and how to get started.

In this lively panel discussion, we’ll explore:  

  • Who are the major culprits
  • Your rights under Australian Consumer Law
  • What to do when something goes wrong
  • Behind the scenes of how the system works, from regulators to dispute resolution.

Hosted by VLF Executive Director, Lynne Haultain, our expert panel includes Timothy Stargatt from Consumer Affairs Victoria, Erin Turner of the Consumer Policy Research Centre, and Josh Barnes, Senior Financial Counsellor at Meli.

Join us in person or online for practical tips, real insights, and the confidence to tackle consumer problems head-on. 

Host

Lynne Haultain
Executive Director
Victoria Law Foundation
Victoria Law Foundation

Participants

Timothy Stargatt
General Manager, Regulatory Strategy
Consumer Affairs Victoria
Consumer Affairs Victoria
Erin Turner
CEO
Consumer Policy Research Centre
Consumer Policy Research Centre
Josh Barnes
Financial Counsellor
Meli
Meli

Participant details

Timothy Stargatt

Timothy Stargatt

General Manager, Regulatory Strategy
Consumer Affairs Victoria

Tim Stargatt has worked extensively in the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments, developing and implementing policy, legislation, and regulation, across the industrial relations, consumer, competition, and Attorney-General portfolios.

Tim joined Consumer Affairs Victoria as General Manager, Regulatory Strategy in June 2025 where he oversees CAV’s taskforces, including the Renting Taskforce, Underquoting Taskforce, and the new Fair Fuel Taskforce, as well as CAV’s regulatory strategy, priorities, and programs.

Timothy Stargatt

Timothy Stargatt

General Manager, Regulatory Strategy
Consumer Affairs Victoria

Tim Stargatt has worked extensively in the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments, developing and implementing policy, legislation, and regulation, across the industrial relations, consumer, competition, and Attorney-General portfolios.

Tim joined Consumer Affairs Victoria as General Manager, Regulatory Strategy in June 2025 where he oversees CAV’s taskforces, including the Renting Taskforce, Underquoting Taskforce, and the new Fair Fuel Taskforce, as well as CAV’s regulatory strategy, priorities, and programs.

Erin Turner

Erin Turner

Erin Turner is the CEO of the Consumer Policy Research Centre, a thinktank that champions ideas to make markets fairer for Australians. She is agraduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a board member ofthe Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) and Way Forward.

Erin is the Chair of ARC Justice, the community legal centre in Central and Northern Victoria, which includes her hometown Shepparton on beautiful Yorta Yorta Country.

Erin Turner

Erin Turner

Erin Turner is the CEO of the Consumer Policy Research Centre, a thinktank that champions ideas to make markets fairer for Australians. She is agraduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a board member ofthe Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) and Way Forward.

Erin is the Chair of ARC Justice, the community legal centre in Central and Northern Victoria, which includes her hometown Shepparton on beautiful Yorta Yorta Country.

Josh Barnes

Josh Barnes

Financial Counsellor
Meli

With over 20 years’ experience across banking, finance and community services, Joshua Barnes brings a rare blend of commercial expertise and person-centred support to his work as a Senior Financial Counsellor at Meli.

Joshua is particularly passionate about early intervention and financial education for young people, with a focus on preventing debt-related harm linked to high-interest lending, buy now pay later products, and lifestyle-driven credit use. His mission is to equip individuals with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions and build sustainable financial futures.

Josh Barnes

Josh Barnes

Financial Counsellor
Meli

With over 20 years’ experience across banking, finance and community services, Joshua Barnes brings a rare blend of commercial expertise and person-centred support to his work as a Senior Financial Counsellor at Meli.

Joshua is particularly passionate about early intervention and financial education for young people, with a focus on preventing debt-related harm linked to high-interest lending, buy now pay later products, and lifestyle-driven credit use. His mission is to equip individuals with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions and build sustainable financial futures.

Lynne Haultain

Lynne Haultain

Executive Director
Victoria Law Foundation

Lynne leads the Victoria Law Foundation team. She brings with her a wealth of experience in the fields of communications, journalism and management.

For 16 years, Lynne worked with ABC Radio, including a stint hosting The Law Report on Radio National. She has also worked at the ACCC, the City of Melbourne, the Victorian Ombudsman and as a consultant. She has degrees in Law and English from the University of Western Australia and holds qualifications from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Institute of Community Directors Australia and has attended the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership.

The Price is Wrong! Gouging, Shrinkflation and Consumer Law

Join us for the 2026 Law and You Forum exploring consumer rights. Get practical tips, real insights, and the confidence to tackle consumer legal problems.