More than 13,000 on-line submissions have been received in response to Labors public consultation on cosmetics and animal testing with 92 per cent supporting a ban on cosmetics tested on animals.

The consultation commenced in July and delivers on Labors commitment to conduct a national consultation on the importation, manufacture, sale and advertising of cosmetics tested on animals.

The public consultation was motivated by Labors desire to get our policy on animal testing right.

In addition to over 13,000 on-line submissions, a broad range of Australians attended public forums in six capital cities, including school children, animal activists, representatives from industry and interested members of the community who do not want the cosmetics used in their home tested on animals.

Shadow Assistant Minister for Health, Stephen Jones stressed that any move by Labor to ban animal testing will adopt a consultative, reasoned and balanced approach.

This approach will allow Labor to develop a policy that works and incorporates the views of all affected individuals and stakeholder groups, Mr Jones said.

Member for Hotham, Clare ONeil, said it was up-lifting to see people empowered through their participation in public forums that balanced passion with respectful debate.

There was tremendous enthusiasm for Australia to join the EU, Israel and others as part of a global movement to ban animal testing of cosmetics its clear that people want to see action now, Ms ONeil said.

Labor will be progressing work on this policy and commits to completing the following over the coming months:

• Releasing a detailed report summarising what we learnt during the public consultation
• Preparing policy options that will be discussed with the Labor Caucus
• Adopting a policy position that will be publically announced

We acknowledge that it may take time to re-work cosmetic approval processes so that regulators can establish an ingredient is safe for human use without animal testing.

Despite this, we look forward to continuing to consult widely to achieve the best possible outcome for all concerned.