Attorney-General Extends Ban on Bindeez Beads
Published Sunday, 16 December, 2007 at 11:46 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine has announced the interim ban on the sale of Bindeez beads in Queensland is to be extended for another 18 months.
“I am putting this 18 month ban in place despite a request from the distributor Moose Enterprises that the ban be lifted,” Mr Shine said.
“I understand that before the events of last month, these toys were very popular and that the company, and its 50 employees, are suffering as a result of the consequences of the ban and the product recall.
“However, my primary responsibility is for the welfare of the children of Queensland and the ban must remain until the product can be proved safe.”
Mr Shine ordered the interim ban on 6th November after two children in New South Wales and a two-year-old boy in Queensland ingested the beads and were hospitalised.
“These children became seriously ill after ingesting these beads which caused drug like symptoms and despite the company putting forward a quality assurance plan to improve the safety of the toys I have decided the 18 month ban must be implemented.”
“The Office of Fair Trading will determine whether the quality assurance plan will guarantee the safety of the toys in the future and I will reconsider the ban once I receive a report from the department.
“In the meanwhile, it remains illegal for the toys to be sold in Queensland,” Mr Shine said.
For more information about product safety, including safety of children’s toys, go to the Office of Fair Trading website at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or phone 13 13 04.
Media enquiries: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273
“I am putting this 18 month ban in place despite a request from the distributor Moose Enterprises that the ban be lifted,” Mr Shine said.
“I understand that before the events of last month, these toys were very popular and that the company, and its 50 employees, are suffering as a result of the consequences of the ban and the product recall.
“However, my primary responsibility is for the welfare of the children of Queensland and the ban must remain until the product can be proved safe.”
Mr Shine ordered the interim ban on 6th November after two children in New South Wales and a two-year-old boy in Queensland ingested the beads and were hospitalised.
“These children became seriously ill after ingesting these beads which caused drug like symptoms and despite the company putting forward a quality assurance plan to improve the safety of the toys I have decided the 18 month ban must be implemented.”
“The Office of Fair Trading will determine whether the quality assurance plan will guarantee the safety of the toys in the future and I will reconsider the ban once I receive a report from the department.
“In the meanwhile, it remains illegal for the toys to be sold in Queensland,” Mr Shine said.
For more information about product safety, including safety of children’s toys, go to the Office of Fair Trading website at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or phone 13 13 04.
Media enquiries: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273