BUNK BEDS UNDER SCRUTINY

_{09 December, 2009}

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Public feedback on the safety of bunk beds is being sought by the Department of Fair Trading as they undertake a process to examine the impact of recommended changes to existing regulation affecting bunk beds in short term rental accommodation.

A Regulatory Impact Statement titled Combined Bunk Bed Safety Regulatory Impact Statement and Public Benefit Test aims to canvas options for improving the safety of bunk beds in short term rental accommodation and recommend a preferred course of action.

An existing mandatory safety standard requires all bunk beds sold after November 2002 to comply with key safety features of the Australian Standard, such as safety railings. However, this standard does not apply to bunk beds already in use before November 2002 which is why the RIS is considering a recommendation to require short term rental accommodation providers to replace existing bunk beds over a three year period.

Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt says that local accommodation providers including hotels, units, hostels, B&Bs, caravan parks and community groups may be affected by the changes proposed in the RIS and should make an effort to contribute their views via the online consultation.

The RIS will be on the Fair Trading website at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au until late December.

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