Non-alcoholic beverage companies have been barred from participating in Western Australia's first Preventative Health Summit this Friday.
The Australian Beverages Council, which counts global giants such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo among its members, has called on WA Deputy Premier and Health Minister Roger Cook to adopt a more consultative approach.
“The Australian Beverages Council’s members in both WA and from other parts of Australia have expressed dismay at the lack of communication and consultation between the Minister’s office and key industry players,” Australian Beverages Council CEO Geoff Parker said.
“In the planning and preparation stages of this event, we believe that the Minister’s office has made a crucial administrative oversight, and that is why industry players have not been included at the upcoming WA Preventative Health Summit.”
Parker said the most successful health programs, including the Health Star Rating and the Healthy Food Partnership, had been developed in collaboration between government, public health groups and industry.
“In the words of the Minister’s office, it is difficult to 'share ideas from experts and the community about ways to improve the health of Western Australians' and 'encourage broader thinking and community engagement' when so many key players have been omitted from this important discussion.
“We support the crucial work of state and territory health ministers from across the nation in their efforts to reduce obesity and chronic diseases. We are particularly supportive of Minister Cook’s efforts to improve the health of Western Australians, but it is crucial that this mission involves industry players in order for it to be successful.”
