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Labor Ignores Queens Baton Souvenir ScamThe Labor Government is refusing to act on allegations that a scam has duped local Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton relay participants. By Phillip Davis - 19th May 2006 - Back to News Liberal Member for Gippsland Province Philip Davis said the Liberal Party twice raised the issue in Parliament, explaining how relay participants had spent $300 on what was promised to be a "custom-made full-sized replica baton that will look exactly like the official baton".
But when their batons arrived in the mail, participants were disappointed and angry to find an inferior piece of plastic roughly glued together with a few stickers on it to symbolise the flashing lights.
Mr Davis told the Parliament about young Morwell man Derek Evans, who is autistic and was a recent participant in the Queen’s Baton relay.
Derek’s parents purchased a replica baton to give him an official souvenir of participation in the relay – but the baton did not live up to expectations.
"Frankly, I think it is a disgrace," Mr Davis told the Parliament.
"It is a piece of very poor-quality workmanship which I suspect, although I do not know, was not made in Australia.
"If it was, the business that made it should be ashamed. It is not even glued together effectively. The decals are just imitation.
"I ask the Minister to advise how Derek Evans can have a memento of what was, for him, such an important event but not have to pay $300 that he is now out of pocket."
Mr Davis said the Liberal Party’s Shadow Spokesperson for Consumer Affairs had also raised the matter in Parliament, but the Government had simply shrugged its shoulders and advised those who are unsatisfied to seek a refund.
But the majority of participants do not want a refund, they simply want the replica baton they were promised.
"The people who have been ripped-off by this scam are those in the community who very often can least afford it and are the engine room of volunteer organisations," Mr Davis said.
"For the Government to simply say if you are not happy, get a refund, is ridiculous."
Mr Davis said the Labor Government had turned its back on decent, hard-working Victorians who in good faith parted with $300 for what they believed would be a quality memento.
These people have been duped and the Labor Government has a responsibility to deliver what it promised relay participants for their hard-earned $300.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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