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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-06-16 Daily Xml
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TRADE MEASUREMENT INSPECTIONS

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (15:16): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Consumer Affairs a question about trade measurement inspections.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN: The competitive nature of traders has ensured that from earliest times a system existed to deliver correct measurement to consumers and traders alike. Consumers expect assurances that they are getting what they pay for. Will the minister advise the council what is being done to ensure compliance with weights and measures?

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 Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:16): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Consumers in Whyalla and Port Lincoln can rest assured that they will be getting what they pay for, as consumer authorities will be checking scales and other weighing equipment this week. This compliance clampdown by trade measurement inspectors from the Office for Consumer and Business Affairs is targeting Eyre Peninsula to ensure that retailers are complying with weights and measure laws.

Since 1843, laws have been in place dealing with weights and measures aimed at protecting the interests of consumers and traders in South Australia. Currently, the Trade Measurement Act 1993, and associated regulations, applies to all measurements whether using shop scales, petrol pumps or other equipment made for any trading purposes such as determining a sale price or calculating a freight charge.

This type of spot targeting is about reminding traders of their responsibilities and instilling confidence for regional consumers. Eyre Peninsula residents can be assured that it does not matter where you live: when you buy something by weight it should be accurate. The initiative is part of OCBA's ongoing monitoring program which also aims to raise traders' awareness about the detriment inaccurate weighing equipment can cause to both the consumer and the trader.

Accuracy is important when buying high value goods such as meat and fish where a small error could mean a big difference in price, and it is not always in the trader's favour. OCBA inspectors will be conducting random audits of retailers in the area selling goods by weight or measure. Whether the trader is a roadside stall holder or a supermarket, the scales they use need to be the right type, accurate and correctly used.

Regulations require scales to be within a very tight range of accuracy to ensure that consumers are getting what they pay for. Scales measuring outside of this range are deemed illegal for trade and must be rectified by a licensed repairer and certified before reuse. Trade measurement officers are directly responsible for monitoring and enforcing this legislation and other closely related legislation as part of their day-to-day activities.

Consumers benefit from receiving the goods they have ordered and paid for. Traders benefit by avoiding unwanted loss of product. This system provides confidence to all South Australians in the goods they are selling or receiving and in their being delivered consistently and reliably in the marketplace.

Traders found using defective scales on follow-up checks can be subject to penalties of up to $20,000 under the Trade Measurement Act, and consumers can report any concerns to OCBA.

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