Get on board with Buy Smart

Queensland kids will be vying for up to $1,500 for their schools in the 2013 Buy Smart competition launched by Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie at Chancellor State College today.

Mr Bleijie said the annual government competition invited students to research a consumer issue and come up with a creative way to share the information.

“Last year we had some great entries from rap songs to board games and it was clear the kids had great fun creating their buyer-beware messages,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Young people not only make decisions about how they spend their money but they are also influencing the family budget from an early age.

“Mass marketing combined with smart phones and social media exposes children to scammers at an early age and this competition helps them to develop into a clever consumer.

“If you consider 60 per cent of scams are delivered by phone or email, it is really important for young people to know about their rights as consumers.”

Mr Bleijie said entries would be judged on a number of factors, including how well they convey the chosen consumer message, as well as how interesting and creative they were.

“The judges will be looking for originality, so students can be as innovative and imaginative as they like,” he said.

“Students can enter individually or get up to six friends through their school or community and also have the chance to win up to $500 for themselves for the winning entry.”

Cash prizes totalling over $11,000 are up for grabs in the competition’s three categories: years 4-6, years 7-9, and years 10-12.

Mr Bleijie said last year’s competition received 435 entries from 881 students on topics such as scams, mobile phone bills, buying a car and consumer rights.

“I encourage parents, schools and community organisations to get their children thinking about this year’s competition to see if we can crack 1,000 participants.”

For more information on the Buy Smart Competition and to obtain an entry kit, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

[ENDS] 1 March 2013

Media Contact: Matt Johnston 0432 535 893