Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Di Natale for his continuing interest in health warning labels on alcoholic beverages. As I understand it, he was referring to the Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education, FARE, which released a report recently. If he was, then he could nod; if he was not, and it was more broadly, maybe that is question number two!

The issue of alcohol-related harm continues to be of great concern to this government. That is why the government is committed to changing the drinking culture of Australia and why it is spending $103.5 million on the National Binge Drinking Strategy. The government is also working with non-government organisations, health providers and industry to support women to make healthy lifestyle choices during pregnancy and to promote awareness of the risks of consuming alcohol during pregnancy.

There are challenges though, and I am sure they are recognised by those opposite and by the Greens because it is one of those areas where it will be a challenge before industry is to honour its commitments to implementation of the voluntary initiative. I look forward to seeing the evidence from industry of better updating of warning labels as the initiative progresses. These are early days in this area but it is one of those areas where the government remains committed. It will take a concerted effort from all those who have a continuing interest in these issues.

The COAG forum on food regulation reiterated in June that there should be mandatory labelling on alcohol about the risks of drinking whilst pregnant, and confirmed its agreement to allow industry two years to adopt voluntary initiatives before regulating— (Time expired)