Page 4109 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 16 Sept 2009
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There are issues in relation to this. It might be of some assistance to Mrs Dunne and the Liberal Party for me to advise that the government believe that the 3½ months, which there will now be before this provision is intended to commence, give the government time to advertise this new requirement. We would propose to introduce how-to-do-it information and papers in relation to the labelling requirements. We would propose to ensure that all retailers of eggs in the ACT understand the new legislative requirement in relation to the labelling of eggs.
These proposals are wide ranging, and I think it is appropriate that they are. They will apply to all shops but they will also apply to markets. So eggs at markets will need to be labelled. The issue, where there are exemptions in relation to the size of the establishment, the numbers of eggs sold, is the requirement which we propose that retailers displaying less than two linear metres of shelf space in relation to eggs for sale will not be required to use the red banding of cage-system produced eggs. So there is an acknowledgement there of the particular issue for smaller retailers.
Mrs Dunne, I think the government’s attempts at consulting nationally, the consultation which the Greens have been party to, the fact that this bill has been on the table for most of the year, seem to me to militate against requirement for these particular provisions to be referred off, and the government will not support your proposal.
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (5.46): It is all very well for the Chief Minister to say that this bill has been on the table for the best part of a year but these amendments have been on the table since half-past three this afternoon.
Mr Stanhope: No, the proposals in relation to labelling have been on the table.
MRS DUNNE: And the proposals in relation to labelling that the Chief Minister circulated at about half-past three this afternoon are significantly different from those which have been on the table for the best part of a year. This is why this matter should be referred. It does have an impact on small retailers; it does have an impact on people at the markets.
People at the markets sell all sorts of eggs because they try to provide for different price points. At the Belconnen markets, you can buy free-range eggs and you can buy barn eggs. I am not sure that I have ever seen barn eggs but you probably can buy barn eggs. You can definitely buy cage-eggs because they provide different price points for people and this legislation will affect those people as well.
Question put:
That Mrs Dunne’s motion be agreed to.
The Assembly voted—
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