Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2003-05-29
I heard media reports earlier this week about a new alcoholic milk drink on the market called Moo Joose - maybe they have had some over on the other side. Can you please advise the House what the Territory government’s view is on the sale and supply of Moo Joose in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question because I, too, was concerned to see a photo in the NT News of this so-called Moo Joose product. We recognise, understand and appreciate that there is nothing wrong with enjoying a drink in the Northern Territory - it is an integral part of our lifestyle. However, I have concerns when I see what I believe are moves by liquor companies to directly target and market that product to young people. Moo Joose comes in nicely shaped soft drink-type bottles, brightly coloured, with a hefty old alcoholic kick of about 5% or 6%, I believe, and in banana, chocolate, and a number of flavour varieties. Products like that - and we saw some time ago, alcoholic ice blocks - we think, are obviously targeting a young market group. That is irresponsible of liquor companies to try to direct their product and encourage under-age drinking.
I am pleased to advise the House and Territorians that the Chairman of the Licensing Commission shares those concerns. He has advised me that if there is any attempt made to market Moo Joose in the Territory, the commission will act immediately to prohibit the sale and distribution. He has written to the company, which is a Victorian-based company. I will table the letter; it is quite straightforward:
I write to inform you that in the event any endeavour is made to sell or distribute the product known as Moo Joose within
the Northern Territory, the commission will immediately take all necessary steps to prohibit its sale and distribution.
The Licensing Commission has taken that step. You would expect that would be enough but, in the event that it was not, the commission certainly has power to vary the conditions of licensees. Under those powers, they could ban the sale and supply of certain products by licensees, such as we saw with the action taken by the commission in relation to alcoholic icy poles. Both sides of the House would agree that that was totally inappropriate as well. If not, of course, in the end, government could take steps to specifically ban Moo Joose through the liquor regulations. At this stage, it is not deemed necessary to do that.
However, we are all aware of stories of under-age drinkers engaging in irresponsible, and even dangerous behaviour as a result of that, and not to mention, of course, health risks that quite young folk and, in fact, any age really, can suffer from excessive drinking. It is not something that we want to encourage further by allowing products such as this on to the market. It is important that we all take a stand against what I see as quite unconscionable and unscrupulous conduct on the part of liquor companies that come up with these products - nicely packaged, nice flavours, nice colours, that we see as a cynical move to effectively target under-age drinkers.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question because I, too, was concerned to see a photo in the NT News of this so-called Moo Joose product. We recognise, understand and appreciate that there is nothing wrong with enjoying a drink in the Northern Territory - it is an integral part of our lifestyle. However, I have concerns when I see what I believe are moves by liquor companies to directly target and market that product to young people. Moo Joose comes in nicely shaped soft drink-type bottles, brightly coloured, with a hefty old alcoholic kick of about 5% or 6%, I believe, and in banana, chocolate, and a number of flavour varieties. Products like that - and we saw some time ago, alcoholic ice blocks - we think, are obviously targeting a young market group. That is irresponsible of liquor companies to try to direct their product and encourage under-age drinking.
I am pleased to advise the House and Territorians that the Chairman of the Licensing Commission shares those concerns. He has advised me that if there is any attempt made to market Moo Joose in the Territory, the commission will act immediately to prohibit the sale and distribution. He has written to the company, which is a Victorian-based company. I will table the letter; it is quite straightforward:
I write to inform you that in the event any endeavour is made to sell or distribute the product known as Moo Joose within
the Northern Territory, the commission will immediately take all necessary steps to prohibit its sale and distribution.
The Licensing Commission has taken that step. You would expect that would be enough but, in the event that it was not, the commission certainly has power to vary the conditions of licensees. Under those powers, they could ban the sale and supply of certain products by licensees, such as we saw with the action taken by the commission in relation to alcoholic icy poles. Both sides of the House would agree that that was totally inappropriate as well. If not, of course, in the end, government could take steps to specifically ban Moo Joose through the liquor regulations. At this stage, it is not deemed necessary to do that.
However, we are all aware of stories of under-age drinkers engaging in irresponsible, and even dangerous behaviour as a result of that, and not to mention, of course, health risks that quite young folk and, in fact, any age really, can suffer from excessive drinking. It is not something that we want to encourage further by allowing products such as this on to the market. It is important that we all take a stand against what I see as quite unconscionable and unscrupulous conduct on the part of liquor companies that come up with these products - nicely packaged, nice flavours, nice colours, that we see as a cynical move to effectively target under-age drinkers.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016