Protect Our Children: Make Retail Fixtures in Australia Safe!
Petitioner:
Mrs Maureen Ahluwalia
| Member:
Bali, Stephen
| No. of Signatories:
393
| Date closed:
28/10/2025
To the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly,
Recently, my 2-year-old daughter was seriously injured at a local shopping centre when she was struck in the eye by a slatwall panel hook on a sock rack. She suffered a painful blood clot in her eye - a terrifying and completely preventable injury.
Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident. Children across Australia have been harmed by unsafe store fixtures, some left with permanent scars or vision damage.
In 2019, several retailers were criticised after similar injuries occurred. While stores like Kmart and Target have made improvements, many still use hazardous hooks and racks at toddler eye level. The National Retail Association has issued warnings, but there are still no mandatory national safety standards for retail fixtures.
Under Australian Consumer Law, businesses must provide safe environments, but without specific regulations for store displays, our children remain vulnerable.
We’re calling for urgent action:
- Mandatory use of rounded or covered hook ends
- Higher placement of sharp or protruding fixtures
- Secure all unstable racks or display units
- Child safety audits in retail spaces
- Mandatory staff training on hazard prevention
Shopping centres should be safe places for families, not where toddlers risk serious injuries.
Every year, thousands of Australian children are treated for preventable accidents. It’s time to protect them with clear, enforceable retail safety standards.
We, the undersigned petitioners request the Legislative Assembly to act now, before another child gets hurt.
