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The Silence of the Trumps
A plan to tackle Australia’s obesity epidemic has come under fire for adding to cost of living pressures for families.
The federal government has proposed a ‘sugar tax’ of as much as 20 per cent on all soft drinks in a desperate bid to address the nation’s obesity and diabetes rates.
The tax would also be applied to cordial, flavoured mineral waters, energy, sports and fruit drinks.
The government has also proposed tougher new restrictions on junk food ads that target kids both online and on gaming platforms
But the plans has been questioned by opposition health spokeswoman, Senator Anne Ruston.
‘There are better ways to encourage healthy eating and better preventive health outcomes, without further hurting the hip pockets of Australian families in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis,’ she told the Herald Sun.
Under the government’s proposal, a tax would be added to drinks based on their sugar content.
It’s hoped by imposing the tax, manufacturers would reduce the amount of sugar in drinks to create healthier outcomes for consumers.
The Federal Government has proposed a sugar tax on all ‘fizzy’ drinks, as well as any non-alcoholic drink that is sweetened by sugar, such as fruit juice and cordial
The tax would bring in almost $6.8billion over the next 10 years if it was set at 20 per cent, according to the Parliamentary Budget Office.
The government also believes that consumption for the pricier beverages would drop by a fifth.
Committee chair Dr Mike Freelander said that although the sugar tax would increase prices of drinks, it would not be applied to other groceries.
Dr Freelander said the committee had not worked out the amount the tax should be and will consult with manufacturers.
The sugar tax and other recommendations were needed due to the rising number of children aged under-10 diagnosed with diabetes, the peadiatrician added.
‘This is an important public health measure, we have the support of every major health organisation in the country and the recommendations need to be taken as a whole,’ Dr Freelander said.
Australia could become among the growing list of countries to impose a sugar tax
‘It will only apply to beverages sweetened with sugar. I don’t think it should be broadened out to other things, we need to use what’s best practice around the world and the effects will be monitored.’
More than 100 countries currently impose a sugar tax.
A series of recommendations were put forward by the committee, including access to national screening programs for both types of diabetes and giving Aussies more access to weight loss surgery.
Victorian Council on Social Services chief executive Juanita Pope said if done correctly, a tax would only have a small impact on low-income family budgets – but the long-term health gains and medical cost savings would be huge.
