FED: Boom in illegal Chinese fireworks trade

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-1999
FED: Boom in illegal Chinese fireworks trade

New Year's Eve could go off with a huge bang if authorities fail to stem a booming trade in
illegal fireworks.

Detective work by ACT WorkCover has already stopped two shipments from China of festive
explosives bound for Canberra.

ACT Urban Services Minister BRENDAN SMYTHE says two containers consigned to an ACT firm
were intercepted at the Sydney docks.

Under laws passed by the ACT Legislative Assembly in June, only official public fireowkrs
displays are legal. Small fireworks may only be purchased and used around Queens Birthday
weekend.

Laws vary around Australia with some states banning sales of fireworks all year round.

AAP RTV wl/kbw

KEYWORD: FIREWORKS (CANBERRA)

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