Page 4655 - Week 12 - Thursday, 15 October 2009
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2) Nanotechnology issues, including potential health impact of consumer products containing manufactured nanomaterials, are addressed through national processes. In relation to foods and nanotechnology, an application for a new type of engineered nanoscale particle in food would require an assessment of the public health and safety considerations by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). Nanoparticles used in medical applications (e.g. therapeutic products) would be subject to the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) assessment process.
FSANZ and TGA are members of the Health, Safety and Environment Working Group, which was established by the Australian Office of Nanotechnology to address any potential issues that nanotechnology may raise in the areas of health, safety and environment. The Working Group also includes the Office of Australian Safety and Compensation Council, National Industrial Chemical Notification and Assessment Scheme and the Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
3) Yes it is technically possible for the ACT Government to regulate the release of consumer products containing manufactured nanomaterials via Part 4 of the Fair Trading (Consumer Affairs) Act 1974 – Consumer Product Safety Orders and Standards. Prior to such a determination being made, there would need to be significant and compelling information in order to satisfy the required injury risk threshold before any such regulations could be implemented.
The ACT Government is a party to the Council of Australian Governments and Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs’ single national consumer product safety system initiative. This initiative is designed to improve, streamline and harmonise product safety regulation across Australia and is due to be implemented by mid 2010. Consequently the ACT Government must act in consultation with the Commonwealth, States and Territories prior to implementing any new product safety regulations. Furthermore the outcome of the National Enabling Technologies Strategy, should also ensure a consistent approach across Australia to the regulation of nanotechnology.
Business—licensed premises
(Question No 283)
Mr Rattenbury asked the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 26 August 2009:
(1) What percentage of licensed premises were inspected for compliance by the Office of Fair Trading in 2007-08.
(2) How many and what percentage of the inspections referred to in part (1) took place between the hours of (a) 9 am to 5 pm, (b) 5 pm to 11 pm and (c) 11 to 3 am.
Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) 46%.
(2) A breakdown of inspections based on the time periods cannot be provided. However, 222 licensed premises (76 % of those inspected) were inspected as part of the Afterhours program (6.00pm to 6.00am) and a total of 72 (24% of those inspected) were inspected during normal business hours (9.00am to 5.00pm).
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