Published Sunday, 27 July, 2008 at 05:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
QUEENSLAND TO LEAD WAY ON TOY SAFETY
Premier Anna Bligh has announced that Queensland is to host the first national toy safety summit to debate measures to protect Australia’s children from dangerous toys.
The initiative is in response to fears that an increasing number of toys coming on to the market do not meet Australian safety standards.
Last year there were global recalls of several high profile brands of toys, which sparked calls for the industry to be overhauled.
“In light of world-wide concerns over the safety of toys, the Queensland Government has taken the initiative of staging a National Toy Summit in Brisbane to tackle toy safety issues nationally,” Ms Bligh said.
“Parents need to feel confident that something they can buy in an Australian toy shop will not harm their child.
“The summit will be the first of its kind and will enable industry, government and consumer groups to come together to develop a roadmap to improve the safety of toys.”
International delegates, including representatives from toy testing authorities in Hong Kong, will attend the summit.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said toy safety was paramount to protecting children’s well-being.
“As parents, grandparents, family members and carers, we all have an interest in ensuring children have access to the safest toys,” he said.
“Given the national and international markets in toys, it is important that we have all the right people in the room to discuss the solutions.
“The summit will focus on identifying and developing a long term action plan to improve the overall safe supply and safe use of toys.”
Ms Bligh said the Office of Fair Trading conducts hundreds of compliance spot checks every year to examine the safety of toys sold by retailers.
“Only last month a Dimmeys retailer was fined $9,000 in the Caboolture Magistrates Court for selling a toy that didn’t comply with mandatory safety standards,” she said.
The National Toy Summit will be held on Wednesday 10 September.
Speakers will include representatives from CHOICE, Australian Toy Association, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Infant and Nursery Products Association.
Further information on toy safety can be accessed at www.justice.qld.gov.au or by phoning 13 13 04.
Premiers: 07 32244500; Attorney General’s Office: 0488 799 273
The initiative is in response to fears that an increasing number of toys coming on to the market do not meet Australian safety standards.
Last year there were global recalls of several high profile brands of toys, which sparked calls for the industry to be overhauled.
“In light of world-wide concerns over the safety of toys, the Queensland Government has taken the initiative of staging a National Toy Summit in Brisbane to tackle toy safety issues nationally,” Ms Bligh said.
“Parents need to feel confident that something they can buy in an Australian toy shop will not harm their child.
“The summit will be the first of its kind and will enable industry, government and consumer groups to come together to develop a roadmap to improve the safety of toys.”
International delegates, including representatives from toy testing authorities in Hong Kong, will attend the summit.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said toy safety was paramount to protecting children’s well-being.
“As parents, grandparents, family members and carers, we all have an interest in ensuring children have access to the safest toys,” he said.
“Given the national and international markets in toys, it is important that we have all the right people in the room to discuss the solutions.
“The summit will focus on identifying and developing a long term action plan to improve the overall safe supply and safe use of toys.”
Ms Bligh said the Office of Fair Trading conducts hundreds of compliance spot checks every year to examine the safety of toys sold by retailers.
“Only last month a Dimmeys retailer was fined $9,000 in the Caboolture Magistrates Court for selling a toy that didn’t comply with mandatory safety standards,” she said.
The National Toy Summit will be held on Wednesday 10 September.
Speakers will include representatives from CHOICE, Australian Toy Association, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Infant and Nursery Products Association.
Further information on toy safety can be accessed at www.justice.qld.gov.au or by phoning 13 13 04.
Premiers: 07 32244500; Attorney General’s Office: 0488 799 273