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Introduction
What is your name?
Name
Leanne Erakovic
What is your organisation?
Organisation
Australian Banana Growers' Council Inc.
General Questions
I have confidence in Australia’s current measurement framework.
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Neutral
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I have the same confidence in those measurements I do not actively monitor (e.g. electricity supply) as those which I do (e.g. weighing groceries on a scale).
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To the extent that I have responsibilities, I know what my responsibilities are under Australia's measurement framework.
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On balance, measurement in Australia could benefit from greater:
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Flexibility
Precision
Visibility
Other
N/A
Previous Consultation
Would you like to provide your thoughts on the Scope of Australia's Measurement Law discussion paper?
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Yes
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No
Which topic would you like to comment on?
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Dropdown list of Traceable Measurements, Measuring Instruments and Measurement-based Transactions
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Traceable Measurement - linking results with standards
Measuring Instruments - how they're approved
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Measurement-based Transactions - buying and selling
Measurement-Based Transactions
2.1.1. What are the biggest issues you experience when it comes to measurement used for trade?
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The Australian Banana Growers’ Council Inc. (ABGC) represents the interests of all Australian banana growers. The biggest issue experienced when it comes to measurement used for trade is that bananas are not included on the list of products approved by the Secretary to be sold by reference to number.
The Schedule to the Approval by the Secretary for the Sale of Products by Number or Linear or Area Measurement, Part Two: Fruit, lists a wide range of fruit that can be sold by number. This range includes ‘tropical fruit’ and lists paw paw, papaya, and pineapple. Other snackable fruits such as apples, pears, peaches, cherries, plums, fresh figs, melons, mangoes, kiwi fruit, and passionfruit are included here. Bananas are not specified, even though they are Australia’s most snackable fruit and commonly sold by number in retail environments such as petrol stations, cafes, school canteens and convenience stores.
Consumer choice at a retail level is limited when it comes to buying packaged bananas as they cannot be purchased by number, only by weight. Growers who sell packaged bananas to weight specifications (and not number) suffer quality issues in meeting weight specifications and flow on effects of increased labour costs and revenue loss.
It is an anomaly that under the current legislation there is no ability to sell bananas by number.
2.1.2. How could the current approach be improved to better support measurement-based transactions?
Open text field for response
Measurement-based transactions should be altered to include bananas on the list of products to be sold by reference to number, as is the case with the majority of fruit and vegetables that can be sold by each.
3.2.1. How should different types of shortfall be treated to ensure confidence and protection for both business and consumers?
Open text field in response
Consumers have the opportunity to buy many fruit and vegetables by number or weight and adding bananas to the list provides consumers with more purchasing options. Consumers would continue to be able to determine how they wish to buy fruit (by weight or number).
3.2.2. Is the current system of zero tolerance shortfall appropriate? How could this be approached differently?
Open text field for response
There should be some scope for allowances with packaged fruit and vegetables.
4.2.1. Are the current requirements for certain goods to be sold by reference to measurement appropriate? If not, how could the current arrangements be improved?
Open text field for response
It is unclear why bananas are not included on the list of items to be sold by number. As already stated, bananas should be included on the list of items to be sold by number.
5.2.1. Should there be any changes to the current approach of prescribing the types and units of measurement for marking packaged goods? Why or why not?
Open text field for response
Packaged fruit suffer quality issues when meeting weight specifications and this has flow on effects of increased labour costs and revenue loss to growers. Selling bananas by number would help ameliorate these issues.
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Dropdown of Traceable Measurement, Measuring Instruments and Submit
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Traceable Measurement - linking results with standards