providing the highest possible standards of consumer protection for Queenslanders. That is why as a
government we have moved to permanently ban a range of products that pose a specific threat to
Queensland children. Additionally we will introduce compulsory safety labelling for treadmills.
Five products have been temporarily banned while Fair Trading officers investigated whether they
were suitable for sale in the longer term. These investigations have found that these products are not
appropriate for sale, and I have therefore had them banned permanently. Permanent bans of unsafe
products ensure that Queenslanders and children in particular are protected from the risk of injury or
death.
The first permanently banned product is Bindeez beads. Whilst they are no longer sold by
retailers, the ban will ensure they cannot be used in the future. The second permanently banned product
is fire footbags. These bags have a huge potential to cause injury when used by someone without the
suitable skills. The product remains available for professional entertainers and theatrical use where the
appropriate qualifications are shown.
The third permanently banned product is the amazing jumbo spiky light-up ball. This toy was
supplied with a pump resembling a hypodermic syringe. In the hands of a child there is the strong
potential for injury. The fourth permanently banned product is small expanding toys. These toys, which
often come in the shape of an animal, can expand dramatically in size, potentially representing a hazard
if they are swallowed. The fifth permanently banned produced is toothpaste containing more than
0.25 per cent by weight of diethylene glycol, DEG. DEG is a cheap substitute for glycerin—one of
toothpaste’s main ingredients—and is toxic under certain levels of exposure. The risk escalates
significantly from repeated long-term exposure to the chemical.
In addition, a mandatory labelling standard will officially commence on 1 June 2009. The standard
requires warning labels to be placed on treadmills, alerting users to the danger of friction burns from the
moving belt to young children.
I have also banned the sale of toys containing excessive levels of lead until 31 December 2009,
when a new mandatory safety standard will take effect. The Bligh government will not apologise for
taking tough action against any product that could potentially cause harm to Queensland children.
