Controversial plan to tackle obesity and diabetes

Debate over a proposed sugar tax has raised concerns there are better ways to encourage healthy habits rather than adding to hip pocket pain for Aussie families.

A sugar tax would be slapped on Australians’ favourite fizzy drinks, sparking fears of further hip pocket pain for families, under a controversial proposal to tackle obesity and diabetes.

A federal parliamentary probe into the health crisis is also calling for tough new restrictions on junk food advertising to kids online and on gaming platforms.

But Opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston says the Coalition does not support a tax on non-alcoholic sugar-sweetened drinks, including soft drinks, cordial, flavoured mineral waters, ­energy, sports and fruit drinks.

“There are better ways to encourage healthy eating and better preventive health outcomes, without further hurting the hip pockets of Australian families in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis,” Senator Ruston said.

A sugar tax would be slapped on Australians’ favourite fizzy drinks. Picture: AFP

The committee made 23 recommendations, including ­access to national screening programs for all forms of diabetes and expanding access to weight loss surgery in public hospitals.

Under the proposed sugar tax, a levy would be imposed on beverages based on how much sugar they contain.

The move aims to get manufacturers to reduce the amount of sugar in their products, to improve health outcomes for vulnerable consumers.

A 20 per cent tax would raise almost $6.8bn over the decade, according to the Parliamentary Budget Office, which estimates demand would fall by a fifth.

Committee chair Dr Mike Freelander acknowledged the tax would “increase the price” of drinks and moved to allay concerns it would be broadened to other grocery items.

Dr Freelander said the committee had not dictated a figure for the tax, saying they would consult with the industry.

He said the suite of recommendations were “crucial to overturn a health emergency”, with kids aged under 10 being diagnosed with diabetes.

“This is an important public health measure, we have the support of every major health organisation in the country and the recommendations need to be taken as a whole,” Dr Freelander said.

“It will only apply to beverages sweetened with sugar. I don’t think it should be broadened out to other things, we need to use what’s best practice around the world and the ­effects will be monitored.”

More than 100 countries worldwide have a sugar tax, with studies finding that a 10 per cent tax led to an 8.2 per cent price increase.

Victorian Council on Social Services CEO Juanita Pope said, if it was done right, a sugar tax would have a marginal impact on household budgets for low-income Australians, while delivering huge health benefits and cost savings through avoided diseases, such as ­diabetes.

Junk food ads targeting children online and on gaming platforms would also face tough new restrictions under the proposal.

Mackellar MP and GP Dr Sophie Scamps said she had seen the effects of diabetes on her patients.

“As a GP I saw the impact that diabetes has on patients: Blindness, strokes, heart disease, amputation, nerve and kidney damage,” she said.

“It is a leading cause of premature death but, prior to that, patients and their families see their quality of life eroded.”

Originally published as Controversial plan to tackle obesity and diabetes