Country of Origin Labelling

The Hon. C. BONAROS (14:53): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Correctional Services, representing the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, a question about country of origin labelling on Australian seafood.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: This week it was reported in The Australian that there are growing fears and concerns amongst those in the seafood industry that the federal Labor government plans to overlook its election commitment to implement requirements for all hospitality venues to indicate the country of origin of the seafood on their menus, a scheme all states signed up to late last year after some 20 years of lobbying and advocacy.

A key election promise for the Albanese government, the commitment has enormous ramifications for the South Australian seafood industry, which is, as we know, a crucial component of our state's economy and has been a key body in terms of advocating for mandatory seafood labelling. In that article, the Chief Executive Officer of Seafood Industry Australia, Veronica Papacosta, issued a warning to the government that not implementing the scheme:

…would be a critical loss to the Australian consumer who needs to have the ability to locate Australian seafood…Australians being able to access Australian seafood is almost a quintessential right and we haven't had that ability in food service until now. We hope the Albanese government fulfils its promise before the election.

My question to the minister is: in light of the very critical role that South Australia played with respect to the agreement underpinning the changes at a national level, what are we doing to ensure the implementation and enforcement of the scheme in SA in a timely manner?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Autism, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:55): I thank the honourable member for her question and for her ongoing advocacy in this space on behalf of the seafood industry. I am so used to Minister Scriven talking about anything in the sea. As the honourable member is aware, our seafood industry is an integral part of the South Australian economy, providing first-class produce for people around the world and employing thousands of South Australians.

As the minister representing the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs in this place, I can confirm for the honourable member that the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs has confirmed that South Australia remains committed to introducing new information standards on country of origin labelling in the Australian Consumer Law. I understand that on 24 November 2023 state and territory and commonwealth consumer ministers voted to include the new information standards in the ACL.

I am also advised that under the new standards all hospitality businesses will need to label their menu and other food advertisements according to the A model. Menu items with the fish harvested in Australia will need to be labelled with the letter A. Menu items with fish harvested outside Australia will need to be labelled with the letter I to indicate that the seafood is imported, and menu items containing both Australian and imported fish will need to be labelled with the letter M to indicate that the item has mixed origins.

I am advised the standards will apply to any menu item that contains all or part of a fish. The definition of a fish and the fish items also includes other seafoods such as shellfish, eels, jellyfish and the eggs or larva of these animals. I understand the most recent update the minister has received from the CBS confirms that the goal to implement the information standards from 1 July 2025 remains in place.

I understand that the commonwealth and territory regulators are currently deliberating on the best way to implement the planned new information standards and manage compliances and undertake an education campaign, and the minister is certainly keen to see these measures implemented in a timely manner.