Push to let social media influencers sell sunscreen after ban on beauty ads

Social media influencers who earn a crust from spruiking beauty products on Instagram were sent into a tailspin in February when the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration introduced a new advertising code banning them from receiving cash or samples for endorsements of products.

Despite the new rules taking effect at the start of July, some are already trying to carve out exemptions to keep themselves in business.

“How else will those who are influenced by social media, particularly Millennials who are most at risk of melonama, be encouraged to use sunscreen everyday? And use it correctly?” says Samantha Brett.Credit: Edwina Pickles

Samantha Brett, founder of SPF sunscreen brand Naked Sundays, wrote to the TGA and the new Health Minister Mark Butler to allow influencers to endorse sunscreen.

“Summer is just around the corner which means Australians are at greater risk of skin cancer and melanomas.” Brett told Emerald City.

In Australia, TGA approval is required for sunscreens, supplements and vitamins, medicated shampoos, and some acne and skin-lightening products.

“I do believe sunscreens should be exempt from the TGA advertising laws when it comes to testimonials. I do like the fact the TGA is making it mandatory to put warnings and instructions on all advertising, but I think influencers should be allowed to give their opinions about the sunscreens they’re using, whether paid, gifted or unpaid by a brand,” she said.

“How else will a consumer get honest feedback? How else will those who are influenced by social media, particularly Millennials who are most at risk of melanoma, be encouraged to use sunscreen every day? And use it correctly?”

Naked Sundays recently raised more than $10,000 for melanoma research through influencers posting and sharing the “wear sunscreen every day” message.

TGA assistant secretary regulatory compliance branch Nicole McLay responded to Brett late on Friday, hours after Emerald City made enquires, saying the Australian government agreed that the promotion of sunscreen on social media has a positive impact by increasing sunscreen usage.

She said the code only prohibits the promotion or endorsement of sunscreens for some sort of payment.

“The measure is designed to ensure, as much as possible, that testimonials ... are genuine and not influenced by commercial interests.”

A spokesperson for the health minister said he recognised the independence of the TGA as a regulator of therapeutic goods.

Property mogul amends Point Piper DA

There’s never a quiet moment in Australia’s wealthiest suburb, and humble Point Piper homeowner, Denis O’Neil knows all too well.

Addenbrooke property developers are on track with their Point Piper rebuild.Credit:

The local property developer and well-known yachtsman has amended a pre-approved development application modification to Woollahra Council for his proposed $5 million Wunulla Road rebuild.

The DA, seen by Emerald City, seeks permission to accommodate equipment, bulk storage and a sauna, as well as relocating an approved powder room to the Point Piper fixer-upper.

O’Neil doesn’t expect the minimal changes to the project will cause a brouhaha with his well-to-do neighbours.

“The modification makes slight changes to the existing approval which are mainly internal,” he said in a statement to Emerald City.

“We don’t believe that these minor changes will cause any concerns for other property owners.”

Once considered one of Sydney’s wealthiest and low-key eastern suburbs figures and playmate of Paul Keating, the father-of-four earned a crust from a substantial property portfolio and development company Addenbrooke, of which he is chairman.

Former yachtsman and Addenbrooke chairman Denis O’Neil is on track with his point Piper fixer-upper.Credit:

O’Neil snapped up the harbour-front property in 2019 for $5.4 million, not a bad investment on what is considered Sydney’s second-best street. Not to mention the proposed build is a mere stone’s throw from Australia’s most expensive street, Wolseley Road, home to some of the country’s most well-to-do.

The exclusive enclave is home to Sydney Football chairman Scott Barlow and jeweller wife Alina, fashion doyenne Charlie Brown as well as former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and wife Lucy who opted to reside in their pink Spanish mission palace instead of The Lodge during his tenure as PM from 2015 to 2018.

Survivor contestants heading to Samoa for the latest season

It seems like every man and their dog is escaping Sydney for their Euro Summer sojourn after a two-year COVID-induced hiatus. But it’s not just the well-to-do eastern suburbs social set who are escaping the Aussie winter.

Australian Survivor contestants and crew are gearing up to battle it out in Samoa next month.

Coincidentally, Emerald City crossed paths with crew members last week, moments after getting their travel vaccinations, when one loose-lipped crew member accidentally also let slip that they are heading off to the Pacific Islands on August 1.

Whoops! The latest series is said to be putting its own spin on one of Survivor’s most beloved themes: Heroes vs. Villains.

The series will see 12 former Australian Survivor castaways divided into two tribes based on their status as either a ‘hero’ or a ‘villain’ alongside 12 new players.

Rumours are swirling that former AFL player Shaun Hampson, who competed on Champions vs. Contenders in 2019, and last year’s runner-up George Mladenov aka King George of Bankstown will feature.

Season one winner Kristie Bennett is said to be making a comeback in an attempt to become the franchise’s third two-time winner. The latest season abroad comes after the last two seasons were filmed domestically, in Queensland, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.