The Bill mirrors the 2011 Northern Territory seafood labelling law, requiring all restaurants and takeaway shops to declare whether seafood is local or imported. This Bill garnered overwhelming consumer support and triggered massive job increases in the Territory’s seafood industry.
Earlier this year, a Senate Committee report unanimously supported passage of the Bill, and the more recent vote on the Bill went down 39-15, after a three month adjournment at the request of the Government.
Xenophon said, "in good faith, we deferred this vote for three months on the basis that the Government would get back to us with a plan on seafood labelling. Not only have they no plans in this area but they have no plans to move in this area at all."
"This Bill should have been a no-brainer. Since 2006 country-of-origin laws apply to fresh seafood sold by wholesalers, fish retailers and supermarkets. This Bill would have just extended the information chain to the point of sale of cooked seafood."
Xenophon acknowledged the Opposition change in policy position on seafood labelling, consistent with the Bill, but was disappointed it couldn't take it one step further to support the Bill.
"This is a sad day for Australian consumers and professional fishers. Australians will have to wait even longer to get the country-of-origin seafood labelling they deserve," said Xenophon.
Evidence given to the Senate inquiry indicated that thousands of jobs would be created around the country if the Bill passed, including in local fisheries including aquaculture.