The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform, Minister for Housing and Homelessness
Images of The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform, Minister for Housing and Homelessness

THE HON MARK BUTLER MP

Minister for Mental Health and Ageing

Minister for Social Inclusion

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform

Minister for Housing and Homelessness

Government Welcomes Alcohol Labelling Initiative

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The Federal Government welcomes the alcohol labelling initiative launched by DrinkWise Australia and the Winemakers' Federation of Australia on 24 September 2012.

PDF printable version of Government Welcomes Alcohol Labelling Initiative (PDF 174 KB)

Joint Release

Senator The Hon Joseph Ludwig
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Minister Assisting on Queensland Flood Recovery

The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing
Minister for Social Inclusion

The Hon Catherine King
Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing

24 September 2012

The Federal Government welcomes the alcohol labelling initiative launched today by DrinkWise Australia and the Winemakers' Federation of Australia.

The initiative allows winemakers to register their labels with DrinkWise who then send warnings related to alcohol consumption while pregnant directly to the winemakers packaging company for easier labelling.

In November last year, in response to the Food Labelling Review 'Labelling Logic', the Government committed to providing industry with two years to adopt labels voluntarily before mandating for this change.

Point of sale information is critical in helping people make informed choices about their drinking, which is why the Federal Government has also provided funding to DrinkWise Australia to develop ‘point of sale’ information at liquor retailers, clubs, pubs and hotels.

Labor is committed to working with the alcohol industry, non-government organisations and health providers to help women make healthy lifestyle choices during pregnancy, and to raise awareness of the risks of consuming alcohol during pregnancy.

This is a step that has been taken voluntarily by DrinkWise the Winemaker’s Federation and is a real indication of how seriously the wine industry takes its social responsibility.

Media Contacts:
Melissa Patch (Ludwig’s office) 0418 734 413
Minister Butler’s office 02 6277 7280
Peter Dwyer (King’s office) 0409 866 054

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