Issue Date:  -  Monday, 1 September 1997

Fair Trading product safety officers reject 12 Royal Show bags

Fair Trading product safety officers today rejected 12 Royal Show bags because they contained items which were considered unsafe.

Fair Trading Minister Doug Shave said that among the items rejected were plastic swords, toy cars and a confectionery container.

Mr Shave said 155 showbags, set to go on sale at the Perth Royal Show later this month, had been checked for unsafe toys and other products not complying with safety requirements.

The Ministry checklist includes dangerous projectiles and items that can cut or cause suffocation.

Mr Shave said the Royal Agricultural Society and the Ministry of Fair Trading's product safety section had continued a long-standing arrangement to screen all showbags before they went on sale.

"I am pleased to say that traders have always been extremely co-operative concerning the safety checks," he said.

"In addition, they have shown a willingness to quickly remove items from showbags that might be dangerous."

More than 400,000 people are expected to attend this year's event, due to be held at the Claremont Showgrounds between Saturday, September 27 and Saturday, October 4.

Mr Shave said inspections would also be undertaken during the show to ensure that products sold or given away as prizes complied with all product safety requirements.

"The Perth Royal Show is a special event for children and these annual checks are something the Government can do to ensure it is safe, as well as memorable," he said.

The Minister said it was still important that parents only buy showbags which were suitable for their children's age.

Media contact:
Anabel Gomez
Tel: (08) 9366 0300