City retailer caught in recall scare

Alex de Vos
Authorities have seized more than 10,000 “dodgy” toys and baby products from a discount retailer with a store in Geelong following a State Government investigation.
The Government said some of the products included an imitation dummy with potential to lacerate or strangle a baby and a plastic train made of small parts that easily broke away.
Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson said Spare Change, which operates a store on Little Malop Street, had been issued with a restraining order following a court intervention.
The chain also operates stores in Thomastown, Morwell, Dandenong and Carrum Downs.
Mr Robinson said Spare Change was also ordered to destroy dangerous goods and publish “costly” full-colour public notices.
“The Brumby Labor Government takes the well-being of Victorian kids very seriously and that’s why we enact and enforce tough product safety standards on toys and children’s products,” Mr Robinson said.
The toys did not meet “compulsory safety standards,” he said.
“The products were poorly designed and breakable, posing and unacceptable risk of cutting or choking babies and toddlers.”
Mr Robinson said the company faced more than $130,000 in compliance fees.
“Companies that breach Victoria’s product safety laws will face harsh penalties because supplying banned products or products that don’t meet tough safety standards are serious offences.”
Geelong Spare Change manager Ethan Sui said it was business at his Market Square shop because it did not stock the suspect products.
“We don’t sell any toys or baby products at the store,” Mr Sui said.