SENATOR GRANT TAMBLING MEDIA RELEASE
July 11, 2001
ANZFA CONSULTS ABORIGINAL PEOPLE ON FOOD STANDARDS
The Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) today commenced consultation with indigenous Australians on food and food regulation by holding meetings in Darwin (11 July 2001) and Alice Springs (12 July 2001).
In opening the Darwin* meeting, Senator Grant Tambling, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Aged Care, said that it was important that ANZFA had come to the Northern Territory to listen to indigenous Australians ' views on food standards, and to ask for ideas about how ANZFA might continue to talk to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
' It is very appropriate that during NAIDOC week, when the nation is celebrating the traditions and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, that ANZFA recognises these values in national decision-making,' Senator Tambling said.
' ANZFA is committed to promoting greater involvement by the community in its decision-making. A key part of this is closer consultation with the community in both Australia and New Zealand. Work is also well underway to develop specific consultation strategies targeting industry, public health professionals and consumer groups.
ANZFA' s primary objective is to protect public health and safety in food. It does this by developing food standards, and other regulatory measures, which are then adopted by State, Territory and New Zealand governments into their food laws. Enforcement of food laws is the role of the States and Territories.
In New Zealand, ANZFA is consulting with Maori people. A group of Maori has met several times with senior people in ANZFA and these meetings have provided an opportunity for Maori to raise food regulation issues of importance, and for ANZFA to respond in dialogue and provide relevant information.
' I consider it important that these first steps by ANZFA go on to develop strong positive relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,' Senator Tambling concluded.