By Ian Neubauer
The Federal Government has tentatively agreed to impose mandatory warning labels on alcohol advertising in Australia.
The measure is but one of several conditions imposed upon the government by the Greens Party in exchange for support on its controversial RTD tax hike bill.
A spokesperson for the Greens Party told TheShout today (Mar 17) the specifics of the agreement still had to be worked out, but it would apply to all categories of alcohol and advertising mediums.
“We have not got the details as such. The details will have to be ironed out. But it will apply to all forms of alcohol advertising and on TV, print, online and outdoor mediums,” the spokesperson said, adding that “the specifics of trade advertising have to be worked out.”
Prime Minister Rudd said last weekend he did not favour a deal that involved mandatory health warnings across all categories of alcohol.
“I’m sure there are technical debates between the health experts in different categories of drinks, and what works most effectively in different cases,” he said.
But the Prime Minister has so far refused to agree to a demand by the Greens and other crossbench senators to ban alcohol advertising on TV during sporting matches and before 8:30pm.