Fireworks supplier tells of SA bureaucrats role in stopping NT cracker supply

As the battle to save Territory Day celebrations goes on, a major fireworks distributor has told of how he was unable to supply fireworks to the NT in 2024 after bureaucrats in South Australia seized his stock, a good deal of which he is still fighting for 12 months later.

Fusion Fireworks have up to 100 tonne of fireworks in preparation for Territory Day. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

As the battle to save Territory Day celebrations goes on, a major fireworks distributor has told of how he was unable to supply fireworks to the NT in 2024 after bureaucrats in South Australia seized his stock, a good deal of which he is still fighting to get back 12 months later.

The scenario is alarmingly similar to that currently happening in New South Wales.

Jason Baeck, director of Rockstar Fireworks, said his fireworks bound for the Territory were seized by SafeWork SA in February 2024.

After the seizure, South Australia WorkSafe advised Mr Baeck it was their intention to apply to the SA Minister to seek his consent to destroy the explosives.

And to add further pain they said there was a provision that allowed them to potentially recover expenses incurred in the destruction and disposal of the explosives.

Jason Baeck Director of Rockstar Fireworks which has sold Territory Day fireworks in the NT

Mr Baeck has a licensed pop up shop in Devonport, Tasmania (Hobart on Saturday and Launceston on Sunday) to sell up to a ton of fireworks per day for cracker night fireworks to Tasmanian permit holders in the lead up to the Tasmanian Cracker Night on May 24.

“Last year February 15 the same thing happened to me as I was unloading my fireworks into the licensed magazine in South Australia,” he said.

“SafeWork SA swooped in and seized all my fireworks most of which was for Territory Day. “They threatened to ask the Attorney-General Kyam Maher for permission to destroy all the fireworks.

“I've taken them to court and was successful so far in them returning nine ton, but they still continue to seize the rest of the Territory Day fireworks with their view to destroy.

“If worksafe NSW go down the same path as safework SA and seize those fireworks for over a year as well, it is nothing short of a devastating predicament for Territorians.

“I would estimate that I have half a million dollars in lost sales with safework SA holding up my stock for so long.”

Territory Day fireworks by Ivanya Cunanan. Northern exposure nov 13

Mr Baeck is also director of All Occasions Pyrotechnics which is one of the largest fireworks display businesses in Sydney where he does over 100 displays a year and for last New Year’s Eve.

A NT Government spokesperson said negotiations were still continuing to secure the approval for the stranded 100 tons of fireworks in NSW to be transported to the Territory in time for Territory Day.

Originally published as Fireworks supplier tells of SA bureaucrats role in stopping NT cracker supply