PRODUCT SAFETY

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:16): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Consumer Affairs a question about the new product safety website.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: I am pleased that consumers can find out about the safety of products before they buy at one easy location by visiting this website. My question is: can the minister give the chamber more details about the site?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (15:17): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I am sure that all members would be interested in informing their constituents about this particular new website, which is packed with information and advice on everything from toys, cosmetics, hardware and health products through to furniture and vehicles.

Product Safety Australia is the primary online source of government information about product safety, assisting both consumers and suppliers to make, buy and use safe products. When visiting the website, you can sign up for automatic email updates, which can be customised according to people's needs or particular areas of interest.

This product safety site keeps consumers up to date with risks associated with unsafe or misused products, how to choose safe products and current safety issues that regulators are watching. The site (productsafety.gov.au) is quite easy to find, and it gives consumers access to information about mandatory safety standards, product alerts and bans, myths, product safety tips and legal cases relating to product safety, and, importantly, it allows consumers to lodge complaints online. The site also gives manufacturers and suppliers access to information on how to comply with product safety standards and how products are regulated in Australia. This is about helping to minimise the risk of injuries, illness and even death related to unsafe goods, which I am sure all members would agree is a very positive and good thing to do.

I am pleased to advise that the SA Office of Consumer and Business Affairs has worked with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and regulators around the country on the development of the website. Members can be assured that we will continue to maintain and update the OCBA website with local product safety information, which is obviously very important and no doubt of great interest to South Australian consumers.