Consumer Policy Research Centre response to recalls and product safety consultation

MEDIA STATEMENT

Monday 21 September 2026

Consumer Policy Research Centre has responded to today’s announcement of a recalls and product safety consultation by the Federal Government.

Quotes attributable to Chandni Gupta, Deputy CEO of the Consumer Policy Research Centre:

On the consultation:

“Unsafe products hurt Australians every day.  If you or your loved ones have been hurt by an unsafe product that was left on shelves for too long, the consultation announced today needs your voice. Too many retailers and online markets rely on rushing to market and fixing problems after someone’s been hurt or even killed.

This consultation is an opportunity for the Government to listen to those who’ve been hurt and put a proactive system in place that doesn’t let companies off the hook. We welcome the Government taking steps to leave fewer lives touched by unsafe products.”

What Consumer Policy Research Centre is calling for:

“What Australia needs is a proactive, coordinated approach to safety. One that is easy for businesses to understand and prevents every product safety failure that it can.”

“We cannot continue putting up with a system that waits for someone to get hurt, people to die or for things to go terribly wrong before taking action.”

“We need proactive obligations on businesses to ensure their products are safe before they even hit the shelves.”

“Businesses that have done the wrong thing must face meaningful penalties.”

What’s wrong with Australia’s recall system:

“A shockingly low number of recalled products in Australia ever get returned and it’s not hard to guess why. Recall notices get dumped on the ACCC’s website and a shop window you walk past once a year. When you do find out about a recall it’s often vague, confusing and designed to downplay reality – terms like thermal event to describe a serious fire risk keep people in harm’s way. Way too much of the recall system is voluntary, with the ACCC acting as a negotiator rather than having the powers to enforce proactive, effective product safety laws.

Chandni Gupta is available for interview/comment.

Media contact: media@cprc.org.au 0493 539 466