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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-09-14 Daily Xml
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ROYAL ADELAIDE SHOW

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:12): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Consumer Affairs a question about the Royal Adelaide Show.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: The Royal Adelaide Show ran this year from 3 to 11 September, and I understand that it was a great success in spite of the sometimes rainy conditions. Will the minister inform the chamber—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: Did you go, Russell?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: I did, yes. I had a great time. Will the minister inform the chamber of the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs, compliance activities at this year's show?

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) (15:13): I thank the honourable member for his very important question, which does go to the very serious issue of safety, particularly the safety of our children. We all know how much our children love going to the show and how much they enjoy the show bags in particular, as well as the other novelty items available at the show. I believe it is, in fact, quite a serious issue.

This was one of the few years that I did not make it to the show, and it was not because of the inclement weather. However, I am pleased to inform the chamber that OCBA safety inspectors were out there. As members might be aware, OCBA product safety officers inspect all show bags prior to the opening of the Royal Adelaide Show each year. This is a preventive measure to ensure that novelty items and toys are safe and comply with safety standards before they actually go on sale.

This year, a total of 303 show bags were presented for examination on 10 August 2010 at the Adelaide Showgrounds and, of these, 94 required no further examination because they were food or only contained items such as magazines. Of the remaining 209 bags, officers examined or tested a total of 889 items. Five items were identified as having safety concerns. This was followed up with the suppliers, who all agreed to either amend or remove the items from the show bags.

In addition to the show bag testing, OCBA also monitored sideshows and stalls to ensure that products supplied to consumers complied with relevant safety and information standards. Unfortunately, inspectors did find products which failed to meet safety standard labelling requirements. These items included baby nightwear and sunglasses. I am advised that OCBA officers detected baby jumpsuits for sale at two stalls at the show which did not comply with the mandatory safety standard for children's nightwear.

Officers seized a jumpsuit from one stall and requested that the trader remove all other noncompliant clothing from sale. The trader will be issued with a warning letter advising that further action may be taken if the trader cannot provide written assurance that steps will be taken to ensure that no further breaches will occur. The owner of the second stall was selling jumpsuits with a warning label, but the labels were not secured in the correct position. Officers requested that these garments be removed from sale.

Officers also detected sunglasses for sale which did not meet safety standards for sunglasses. The standard requires that these items must be labelled to indicate the lens category and have a description of the lens category, including a warning if they are not to be used for driving. The trader was required to remove the noncompliant goods from sale.

Maximum penalties for a breach of a mandatory safety standard under the Trade Standards Act 1979 is $10,000 or a $315 expiation fine for less serious breaches. OCBA compliance officers also inspected 57 stalls at the Exhibition Hall and also sideshow alley, focusing on illegal refund signs, two-priced advertising and misleading representations concerning the quality of jewellery and clothing. As members would appreciate, it is a fairly expensive outing for a family to go to the show. Consumers need to know that they are getting value for money and are not being ripped off by some of these exhibits.

I am advised that overall compliance was good and that OCBA is following up one possible breach of the Building Work Contractors Act concerning an unlicensed building work contractor. I would certainly like to commend OCBA officers for their hard work in helping to ensure that South Australians can enjoy a safe and memorable Royal Adelaide Show. I have been approached by many members of the public who have offered to assist me next year by helping to inspect show bags and other items.

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