2025-01-06
The Australian Greens have welcomed the South Australian Government’s move to ban junk food advertising on public buses, trains and trams, following more than a decade of campaigning at a state and federal level.
Greens Acting Leader and Senator for SA Sarah Hanson-Young has pledged to take Premier Malinauskas’s “sensible step” to Canberra and to push for the ban to be extended to junk food advertising on TV and online.
“Premier Malinauskas’s move to ban junk food advertising on buses, trains and trams is very welcome but it needs to go further,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“The State Government rightly acknowledges this is a public health issue and further measures are needed to properly respond.
“Without federal intervention, our kids will still be bombarded with junk food ads every time they turn on the TV or go online.
“The ball is now in the Albanese Government’s court. I call on the PM to follow Premier Malinauskas’s lead and protect our kids from unhealthy food and drinks ads on TV and online.
“As the SA Government points out: ‘Advertising of unhealthy food and drinks has long been recognised as having a harmful impact on the diets of children. There is a consistent body of evidence that demonstrates that food and drink marketing can affect a child’s nutrition knowledge, food preferences and consumption patterns.’
“If a ban on junk food ads on buses, trains and trams can make a difference then a ban on TV and online ads is absolutely vital to really drive change.
“This is a common-sense policy that Australians support. It will address the growing number of Australians living with obesity, and in turn, help to prevent cancer and increase life expectancy.
“If the Albanese Labor Government is serious about protecting our kids online, then they will follow SA’s lead and commit to a junk food ad ban ahead of the next election.”