Junk Food Tax discussion

Apart from a recent survey into the eating habits of children, there has been no nutritional survey done this century, and the Obesity Policy Coalition is pushing for the Federal Government to fund one in 2010.

Cancer Council Victoria and VicHealth are amongst the members of this Coalition. It is supporting the idea of taxes on junk food. This is an initiative that has been introduced into other countries and has caused significant debate.

The Coalition believes that a nutritional survey will provide opportunities to analyse the highest risk foods in terms of obesity and allow for information to then develop a suitable framework for such a tax to be introduced into Australia.

Obesity Policy Coalition Senior Adviser Jane Martin told The Age recently, “If we haven’t got the data on what people are eating and drinking and how habits are changing over time … it’s hard to know where to intervene and get a sense of the impact of any reform.”

The Preventative Health Taskforce, funded by the Federal Government, recently released a report recommending that more research and analysis is required to determine the effectiveness of taxes on specific types of food, to reduce obesity or increase the consumption of healthy food. It also recommended that a National Risk Factor Survey be funded and run in 2010.

“This is where we need to commission independent modelling, really to look for a rationalised tax and excise regime for alcohol that discourages the harmful consumption and promotes safer consumption,” Rob Moodie, who chaired the Preventative Health Taskforce said, when the report was released.

Although the AFGC, Australian Food and Grocery Council, has previously stated it’s opposition to junk food taxes, because it contents that they will not reduce likely obesity, it has also said that it would be interested in supporting taxation to promote eating healthily.

“Food taxes are regressive as they penalise people who can least afford it – however industry does support a review of taxation policies that promote active living and healthy lifestyles,” AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell advised last month.

The Federal Government has not yet made any decision about junk food taxes, as it is waiting for the Henry Tax Review to present it’s results.

“We’ll take that onboard (the recommendations from the Preventative Health Taskforce), but I don’t intend to tip my hand one way or the other,” Treasurer Wayne Swan said recently. “These are all important matters that are being considered through the Henry Review. As you’re aware, it doesn’t report until the end of the year and then we go from there through next year’s budget.”