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Government Considers Ad Restrictions And Labels On Booze

Press Releases March 12 2009

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The Rudd government is seriously considering introducing Family First’s proposals for health warning labels on alcohol products and advertising restrictions after a meeting between Family First Leader Senator Steve Fielding and Health Minister Nicola Roxon this morning.

Senator Fielding said he would meet with Minister Roxon again on Monday and hoped that the government would have moved forward on restricting alcohol advertising and warning labels on booze.

“If the government hasn’t moved on these issues I’m reluctantly being forced into a position of not being able to support the tax beyond six months,” Senator Fielding said.

“I’ve told the Minister that Family First’s proposals for health warning labels on bottles and closing the loophole that allows advertising of alcohol products during sporting programs any time of the day must be part of the government’s binge drinking solution.

“This loophole gives the alcohol giants unlimited access to promote their product to vulnerable young children and teenagers.

“The Rudd government’s refusal to introduce measures to tackle Australia’s binge drinking culture has let families down. The message from this government is that looking after the alcohol giants is more important than changing Australia’s excessive binge drinking culture.

“The government could do these measures but so far it has not. Instead it turns to a tax that many, including Family First, believe does nothing to address binge drinking but brings in money.

“Family First will be moving ahead with its intention to move a sunset clause that gives the government six months to attack and address this issue beyond just a tax grab.

“Family First wants to see real change to Australia’s binge drinking problem, like alcohol related hospital admissions falling and less drunken street violence threatening our communities.

“We urge the government not to waste this opportunity and to introduce our measures and change the cultural mindset that getting blind drunk is the only way to have a good time.”