Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) global estimates indicate more than 600 children have died from ingesting button batteries,

(ii) up to 20 children each week present to emergency departments after swallowing button batteries, and

(iii) two and a half years after the introduction of a voluntary industry code in Australia, a high level of unsafe button battery products remain available in the Australian market, and a meaningful decrease in the rate of button battery exposures or injuries is not yet apparent; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to implement a mandatory code to protect children from being exposed to button batteries in Australia and to prevent the sale of dangerous products.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In 2019, the former Assistant Treasurer published a safety warning notice warning customers of the risks that button batteries can pose to children. He also wrote to the ACCC requesting the regulatory impact assessment process required to support the development of future regulations such as mandatory standards be expedited. On 16 August 2019, the ACCC released an issues paper and intends to release its draft recommendations in early 2020 for public consultation. It will then provide a final recommendation to government in mid-2020.

Question agreed to.