Sugar tax will just hurt the poor: Senator David Leyonhjelm

LIBERAL Democrat Senator David Leyonhjelm has slammed the “fat police” over renewed calls for a sugar tax on soft drink, saying it was akin to the nanny state “rummaging through our fridges”.

• David Leyonhjelm: Obesity can’t be solved by taxing sugar
• Health groups want a crackdown on snack foods

LIBERAL Democrat Senator David Leyonhjelm has slammed the “fat police” over renewed calls for a sugar tax on soft drink, saying it was akin to the nanny state “rummaging through our fridges”.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also slapped down the push by a coalition of health groups and universities for a 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks.

“I think we have enough taxes and there are enough imposts­ on us all when we go to the supermarket and we go shopping,” Mr Turnbull said yesterday.

Senator David Leyonhjelm says self-control and self-motivation are essential to healthy living — not a tax. Picture: John Appleyard

“The other thing is, too, where do you draw the line? There is a lot of sugar in a bottle of orange juice, are you going to put a tax on that?”

Writing in today’s The Daily Telegraph, Mr Leyonhjelm said a sugar tax would not affect the “inner-city, turmeric-latte sipping greenies riding their bicycles” but the poorest members of society.

“The fat police are at it again, dressing up a new tax as a health issue,” he said.

“But research does not show that making  just  one  of the many menu ­offenders more expensive will help our hips get any smaller. Only our hip pockets. And those on low incomes will be hardest hit.”

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also slapped down the push for a 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks. Picture: Nathan Edwards

Sugar tax campaigners said 63 per cent of Australian adults and 27 per cent of children are either overweight or obese.

The Obesity Policy Coalition estimates the annual cost of Australia’s weight and obesity problem between 2011 and 2012 was about $8.6 billion, ­including GP services, hospital care, absenteeism and government subsidies.

“Without action, the costs of obesity and poor diet to ­society will only continue to spiral upwards,” OPC executive manager Jane Martin said.

“The policies we have set out to tackle obesity therefore aim to not only reduce morbidity and mortality but also improve wellbeing, bring vital benefits to the economy and set Australians up for a healthier future.”

How much sugar is too much? Picture: Istock

Ms Martin said kids were bombarded with ads for junk food and high-sugar drinks that are cheaper than water.

Many so-called healthy foods were also being laden with sugar and saturated fat.

“Making a healthy choice has never been more difficult,” she said.

Australia’s food and beverages industry opposes a sugar tax and argued that a broad and holistic approach was needed to tackle the problem.

“We believe there is no single cause or quick fix solution,” a joint statement released by eight major food and drinks groups led by the Australian Food Grocery Council said.