Should Australia have a 'fat tax' on unhealthy foods?

16 May 2012
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(AAP)

(AAP)

Medical researchers in the UK have called for a junk food tax to reduce obesity, and experts here say it should be implemented in Australia. Countries such as Hungary and Denmark implemented 'fat taxes' on unhealthy foods last year, with Denmark taxing not only junk food, but also butter, milk, cream, meats and cooking oil -- everything containing 2.3 per cent or more of saturated fats. Do we need a 'fat tax' in Australia? And on which foods? 

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Just another tax

Walter Christy - from Tasmania, 8 months ago

Every time I see more and more taxes put on food. The poor have to eat and they do not have the same choice to quality meals. Time is also taken away from families to prepare quality meals, all in the name of equality and both working. One can see families at fast takeaway food places for breakfast, children given money to buy trash. One should be tackling family life and more time at home to prepare meals, also make fresh food cheaper to cook. Most of our quality vegetables, meat are sold to the wealthy or overseas where the dollar rules. You ask about a cut of meat, the price is way above what it should be. So much cheaper at a fast food outlet where fats are inserted to compensate for size and price.

Please do not give Juliar any more brainless ideas...

Brian - from Preston, 10 months ago

We do not need another tax on junk food. The carbon tax is bad enough without moronic sections in our society willingly wanting to pay even more tax. If you are so keen then sign up with the ATO and ask them to tax you more so your politically correct minds can rest easy at night thinking (falsely) that you have made society a lot better when in fact you have done the opposite either you have too much money to burn or your last toke was a bad trip.

tax - yes

geo - from gold coast, 11 months ago

This governement just has to instigate a FAT TAX as Australians are now ranked 2nd in the world for obesity. Can you believe that. When I was growing up in England the impression that we always got of ozzies, was the trim fit bronzed body specimen, that has now changed to the opposite, (except for the lifesavers). We are definately going down hill as a race, people dont seem to want to have pride in their appearance any more, so i am all for taxing any food that causes us to feed obesity.

try it sometime

geo - from gold coast, 12 months ago

its about time that parents started to take control of the childrens lives, early in the peace. If children have the necessary discipline instilled into them at an early age, we wouldnt have half the problems that we are faced with in the world today, nor half the amount of fat people that trundle around the place. dont people realise that there is no better feeling than to live in a body that is normal weight and fit, and generally cold and flu free. fatties try it some time.

eat

maitreya - from sydney, 12 months ago

Maitreya the fifth Buddha here, There is nothing I can do to help you. eat when you can! is my only advice!.

Taxes do not benefit consumers

Clavdivs - from Sydney, 12 months ago

Fast food outlets compete on price and a low price means low food quality. Making fat more expensive with a tax will not cause a reduction of fats as much as a further reduction in food quality. Manufactures will use cheaper, nastier fats because good fats will priced out of the market. Cheaper meats and other cheaper or imported products will be used complete. You will get your reconstituted, precooked "meat" burger with China grown lettuce in a pure starch bun and trans-fat spread.

Ms

Candra - from east cannington, Perth, WA, 1 year

Yes. Definitely agree to go for Fat tax in all junk food and high caloreis, high fat food

Tax does not work...its does not address addiction

Sharmila - from East Brunswick, 1 year

Smoking is bad, here's an idea let's put a tax on that - people still smoke. Oh, how about alcohol let's put a tax on that - people still drink and some to excess - neither lowers the consumption. No wait, how about a tax on petrol to stop people driving their vehicles....people still drive and use their cars. Tax does not address addiction and those subscribing to that view are like another blogger said very simplistic and do not think about the financial stress people are under already.

No to fat tax

Jakob - from Sydney, 1 year

No need for any more taxs as those who are poorer will suffer due to them in the long run and the time could be spent on better and more helpfuI issues

opinion negated

whattha - from werribee, 1 year

David - from Toorak.. i agree (but disagreed at same time thus negating my own opinion)

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