Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

I refer you to the communique. I will get you a copy if you have not received one. COAG requested the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy to look at the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code, which was meant to ensure that alcohol advertising is responsible and does not encourage underage drinking. We recognise, though, that the current system, which has been in place for some time, does have significant shortcomings and should be reformed as a mandatory co-regulatory scheme—an issue that you have referred to in the past, Senator Fielding, I think. You can be assured that the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy is progressing this matter and we will hopefully be responding to COAG for its June meeting, although this is not actually confirmed yet.