Greens Candidate for Franklin, Wendy Heatley, and Senator Christine Milne announced jointly today that the Greens will reintroduce legislation to ban junk food advertising on TV between 6.00am and 9.30pm.
‘The Greens believe a ban on advertising unhealthy foods to children during peak TV viewing periods where companies focus most of their expenditure would help to reinforce and normalise healthy eating for Australian children and would enable them to make healthier food choices, said Ms Heatley.
‘Television advertising is the dominant marketing technique used to promote unhealthy foods and beverages to our children. Industry self-regulation clearly is not working. Our children are being bombarded with inappropriate advertising and messages on TV which simply makes it impossible to make healthier food choices.’
‘As a parent I understand the impact of advertising on children. My youngest son is eight years old and is still heavily influenced by TV ads. He, like other children of his age is heavily influenced by advertisers and frequently asks me to buy products advertised on TV, whether it is soft-drinks, take-aways or toys.’
‘Food advertising to children affects food choices and influences dietary habits. A ban on junk food advertising to children is part of the Greens preventative health strategy which focuses on improving wellbeing and making the most of our health budget’
The Greens legislation will:
• Prevent the broadcast of advertisements or sponsorship announcements for these food or beverages between 6.00am and 9.30pm on commercial television – this requirement would be in addition to the requirements of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice.
• Introduce standards for the control of food or beverage advertising consistent with foods or beverages that are considered unbeneficial to children’s health and well-being, based on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand nutrient profiles
Wendy Heatley, and Senator Christine Milne
