- More than 300 showbags have undergone safety inspections ahead of Ekka.
- Office of Fair Trading inspectors conduct searches to ensure safe and age-appropriate content in showbags.
- Small numbers of non-compliant items identified and addressed.
- Further compliance checks will be conducted throughout the Ekka.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering safety inspections at Brisbane's Ekka, with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) inspectors on the lookout for any novelties, toys or products that could spoil the fun.
Safety inspectors have assessed the contents of 310 showbags, paying careful attention to button batteries, projectile toys, cosmetics, sunglasses and button batteries.
Ekka showbags have evolved significantly since 1876, when the very first bag contained just coal. This year showgoers now have a selection of more than 400 to choose from.
During pre-Ekka compliance checks only a small number of items were found that did not comply with consumer safety law.
Just three cosmetic products were found without the correct labelling of ingredients, as well as one pair of sunglasses found to be missing required UV labelling, which is required under Australian consumer law at the point of sale.
All issues have now been rectified by suppliers.
OFT inspectors will continue to be present during the Ekka to recheck the showbags, examine prizes at sideshow alley and assess products from stallholders.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington thanked Ekka vendors and showbag suppliers for ensuring the safety of their products.
"Whether its all-time classics like the Bertie Beetle bag or any of the showbags on offer, Ekka showbags are a tradition that brings joy to young and old," the Attorney-General said.
"It was great to see just a few non-compliant products that were quickly rectified.
"While parents and carers should of course remain alert about their selection of showbags and prizes, they can be confident every effort has been made to ensure compliance with consumer safety laws."
