GOVERNMENT BELATEDLY ACTS ON VITAMIN MANUFACTURERS

BRENDAN O’CONNOR MP.
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5 years ago
GOVERNMENT BELATEDLY ACTS ON VITAMIN MANUFACTURERS
BRENDAN O’CONNOR MP
Labor welcomes the Government’s path forward – albeit extremely belated - to ensuring Australian vitamin manufacturers can say they are Australian Made on their labels.
 
It was only after exports in the $5 billion industry were being severely hit after logos were removed in July, that the Government finally listened to Labor and industry calls for action.
 
This whole debacle begs the question: why did it take so long?
 
The Government must ensure that the process going forward is fully transparent, and not the panic job we’ve just witnessed.
 
To do so, they must clarify:
  • When a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) will be drafted and released for consultation
  • The timetable on a RIS being taken to the Consumer Affairs Forum
  • How they will coordinate their approach, including ensuring enforcement advice (including ACCC websites) is up to date
Labor also calls on the Government to expedite the process of seeking state and territory agreement.
 
Being Made in Australia is a competitive advantage for this industry. We should be proud that consumers around the world look to the Australian Made logo as a trusted consumer logo.
 
However, 30,000 jobs and a $5 billion industry are at risk every day the Government delays action, or conceals their plans.
 
Labor calls on the Government to be completely transparent on the path forward.

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