[Greens-Media] Iemma government maintains veil of secrecy on dodgy restaurants

[John Kaye]

Iemma government maintains veil of secrecy on dodgy restaurants
 
Media Release: 29 February 2008
 
NSW Food Minister Ian Macdonald's proposal for so-called ‘name and
shame' laws for unhygienic eateries is a sham and will force restaurant
goers to play Russian roulette with food poisoning, according to Greens
NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Commenting on a story on page 3 of today's Sydney Morning Herald, Dr
Kaye said: "Minister Macdonald has kept the people of NSW waiting nine
months with repeated promises but no action.
 
"Now when his proposal for warning the public about dangerous
restaurants finally sees the light of day, it is a dud.
 
"It protects dodgy food outlets and it keeps the lid on a patchy
inspection system.
 
"The Iemma government is running away from its commitment to publish
the details of all fines imposed on eateries.
 
"It has failed to follow the British example and publish the results of
all inspections.
 
"Instead, Ian Macdonald's scheme will continue to protect the
identities of outlets that are in areas inspected by local councils, no
matter how serious their breaches are. Only those that are in districts
covered by the NSW Food Authority will be named.
 
"It will also shelter restaurants that are guilty of violations other
than those that the government considers to be serious.
 
"This is a net with massive holes in it. It not only protects many
dodgy eateries but it also hides the appalling state of food inspections
in many areas.
 
"NSW restaurant patrons are being left to the mercy of a failed food
inspection system that operates behind a veil of secrecy. Minister
Macdonald's new laws will do almost nothing to lift the lid on areas
where there is almost no checking on eateries. 
 
"In the UK, results of every food inspection are published on the
internet. Not only does this pressure restaurants to clean up their acts
but it also ensures that regulatory authorities do their job.
 
"Minister Macdonald is struggling to hide the woeful state of food
inspection in NSW. 
 
"When these laws come to the Parliament, the Greens will move
amendments that give NSW restaurant patrons the same level of protection
that the UK enjoys," Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000