Labor has forced the Howard Government to act on childhood obesity after years of lazy and ignorant neglect.
In October 2003 Labor released its $25m policy tackling obesity and promoting community wellbeing – Labor’s Plan for a Healthier and More Active Australia.
In June 2004 Labor strengthened this policy by announcing a ban on junk food advertising targeting young children
It was only after Labor released these policies that the Howard Government grudgingly acknowledged that it had to do more than provide lip service on the issue of healthy lifestyles, and in particular childhood obesity. As a result the Howard Government today belatedly announced an injection of funding.
In fact the elements of the Howard Government’s policy, and even the title, Healthy Active Australia, directly reflect initiatives that were announced as part of Labor’s policy last October.
While Labor welcomes any initiative that offers more funding to promote physical activity and participation, John Howard’s Building a Healthy Active Australia initiative is a short term, vote buying strategy that has been thrown together in response to Labor’s ongoing pressure.
The Howard Government has finally followed Labor’s lead and conceded the urgent need to take action.
Labor will ensure that, if elected, these resources are spent more effectively in the community to increase physical activity, promote better nutrition and support parents in improving their children’s wellbeing.
Contact: Kate Roffey – (02) 6277 3334 or 0417 148 059
