Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to incorporate further information in answer to a question that was asked by Senator Di Natale on 23 August 2011 in relation to the government's response to the Preventative Health Taskforce report.

Question agreed to.

The answer read as follows—

The Minister for Health and Ageing has provided the following answer to the honourable Senator's question:

The Government's response to the Preventative Health Taskforce Report, Taking Preventative Action —A Response to Australia: The Healthiest Country by 2020 — The Report of the National Preventative Health Taskforce, noted that an independent review of the Australian taxation system has already been commissioned.

In responding to that review (the Australia's Future Tax System Review), the Government said that it would not change alcohol tax in the middle of a wine glut and while there is an industry restructure underway. Therefore no modelling is being undertaken at present in relation to the taxation and excise regime.

In addition, the Government has noted the Preventative Health Taskforce's recommendation about developing the public interest case for a minimum (floor) price and has tasked the Australian National Preventive Health Agency (ANPHA) with developing this concept for further consideration by Government.