Stirling Griff (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 601 standing in my name for today proposing an order for the production of documents concerning warning labels on packaged alcohol before asking it be taken as formal.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That—

(1) The Senate

(a) notes that:

  (i) Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has been asked to deliver a revised proposal for mandatory pregnancy warning labels on packaged alcohol to the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation (the Forum) by 22 June;

  (ii) the mandatory labelling proposal would replace the industry's voluntary labeling scheme of eight years, and includes a two-year transition phase and stock in trade exemptions, and

  (iii) FSANZ's original proposal was rejected by some Forum ministers in March because of what they saw as "unreasonable" costs to industry, the colour requirements of the label and the signal wording – that is, the use of the colour red and words "health warning" – mirroring the objections made solely by the alcohol industry;

(b) accepts that the original proposal FSANZ put forward in February is evidence-based and well-researched;

(c) questions how changing the signal wording "health warning" on a label eases any cost burden;

(d) further notes Ministers Colbeck and Littleproud are the Federal representatives on the forum, which meets on 17 July to consider the revised FSANZ proposal; and

(e) is concerned that the focus on one-off costs to industry and the potential watering down of the warning risks undermining the intention to reduce the number of alcohol-exposed pregnancies and rates of incurable and devastating Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in children.

(2) There be laid on the table, by 9.30am on 12 June 2020, all advice sought by or provided to Ministers Richard Colbeck and David Littleproud regarding mandatory pregnancy warning labels on packaged alcohol - aside from advice sought from or provided by FSANZ - since 4 October 2019.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation, consisting of all states and territories, New Zealand and the Commonwealth governments, at its last meeting voted by majority to review FSANZ's proposed pregnancy warning label. The forum ministers requested FSANZ to review the draft standard for pregnancy warning labels, noting that the proposed model places an unreasonable cost burden on the industry. Importantly, the forum, including the Commonwealth, maintains its commitment to a mandatory pregnancy warning label to ensure that women and the broader community are aware of the need for pregnant women to not drink alcohol.

Question agreed to.