To the Honourable the President of the Senate assembled in Parliament.

The petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House our concerns regarding the issue of the proposed new Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code.

Your petitioners therefore pray that the House take immediate steps to reject the current form of the legislation which will:

1. Bring into being a Therapeutic Goods Act that will severely curtail fair competition by restricting permissible statements in advertising that far exceed the restrictions imposed on any other sector of private enterprise.

2. Set up a system by which even unwitting offenders against the Advertising Code will have no legal recourse and can be effectively prevented from trading.

3. Limit the right of citizens to make fully informed choices in selecting health care options from the range of traditional and alternative therapies available.