THE Canberra Liberals are calling on the ACT government to “waive new requirements for food safety supervisors for charity sausage sizzles.” 

Last month the ACT government introduced regulations requiring volunteer groups to train one of their members as a food safety supervisor if they hold five or more barbecues in a year.

The person must be contactable while the barbecue is being run, and must be able to liaise with government health officials and volunteer groups must pay up to $150 for the training of each food safety supervisor.

But Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson says charity groups, service clubs and sporting groups “shouldn’t be hit with further red tape just to run a canteen or barbeque.”

“Other states offer exemptions for not-for-profit and charitable groups from having these food safety supervisors and it only makes sense that these exemptions are offered in the ACT,” Mr Hanson says.

“Many organisations sell food more than five times a year and it’s going too far to force them to pay to train a member who would have to report to health authorities about food handling. These regulations are a step too far for Canberra charities, service clubs and sports groups which are fostering community goodwill, and they should be waived.”