Iemma government maintains veil of secrecy on dodgy restaurants

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