The federal election has been scheduled for later this month and in response Parents’ Voice have launched a new advocacy campaign, “Parents for Action”, which aims to give parents who are fed up with kids being targeted by unhealthy food marketing an opportunity to push for change.
Parents’ Voice’s Partnerships and Campaigns Manager, Lauren Bais said: “Australian parents have significant concerns about children being the target of unhealthy food marketing and empty promises from government just aren’t cutting it anymore.”
Mrs Bais explained: “Self-regulation of the processed food industry is clearly not working; mandatory intervention is required. We’re calling on the Federal Government to listen to Australian parents and act now!”
Every child deserves to be able to live, learn and play in a world that supports and promotes their health and wellbeing, including on digital platforms.
To ensure the health of Australian children, we’re asking the Federal Government to implement the following four actions from the Obesity Policy Coalition’s (OPC) ‘Brands off our kids!’ campaign:
- Ensure TV, radio and cinemas are free from unhealthy food marketing from 6.00am to 9.30pm
- Prevent processed food companies from targeting children
- Ensure public spaces and events are free from unhealthy food marketing
- Protect children from digital marketing of unhealthy food
OPC Executive Manager, Jane Martin, said: “We know from our ‘Brands off our kids!’ campaign launch from last year that 7 out of 10 Australians want government to step in and protect children from unhealthy food marketing.”
Parent of three, Rebecca Zosel agrees: “We want the government to put our kids’ health before profits. We need comprehensive regulations that will protect our children from being targeted by unhealthy food marketing both now and into the future.”
Parents, as well as concerned organisations and allies, are encouraged to join this movement for action. They can get involved by sending letters to their local members and newspapers and by sharing their support for the movement on social media with the hashtag #PVParentsForAction.
For more details about Parents for Action visit:
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Media contact:
Evie Dartnell 0401 596 797 evie@parentsvoice.org.au
About Parents’ Voice
Parents’ Voice was formed in 2004 and has since grown into a movement of more than 8,000 parents from across Australia who advocate for improved food and physical activity environments for Australian children. Parents’ Voice is supported by Diabetes Victoria and VicHealth.
