ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser has bowed to increasing pressure from anti-smoking groups and implemented the former Whitlam Government’s proposed ban on the television and print advertising of tobacco products.
In doing so, the pro-smoking and pro-free-to-air lobby within the government has conceded that the ‘short-sighted’ and ‘idiotic’ decision by the Prime Minister and Health Minister Ralph Hunt has all but destroyed One Day International cricket and Formula One racing.
Both One Day cricket and F1 derive much of their income from the advertising of tobacco products, and without their vital support, these cornerstones of the upcoming Australian summer will be in doubt for future generations.
Fraser’s own Minister for Government Services, William Shortman, a pro-smoking, pro-television fellow Victorian member, has blasted the decision in the media this morning. He spoke briefly to The Advocate via wired telephone a short time ago.
“It’s fair to say to some of the extreme, you know, zealot anti-smokers, I understand what you’re saying, I can agree with a fair bit of what you’re saying, but I’m also saying, ‘Without advertising revenues from tobacco companies, who will fill the void? Alcohol? Gambling? I don’t think so.'”
“I also think the growing calls to nationalise the broadcast of all sport are totally ridiculous. Forcing private news media companies to both create high-level journalism and remain commercially viable is absurd. You must take your yin with your yang. Your yin is 60 Minutes; your yang is Paul Hogan telling you to smoke Winfield cigarettes. Putting all sport on a dedicated ABC Sports Channel is anti-competitive and will destroy livelihoods.”
Prime Minister Fraser remains galvanised in his decision as he explained why he decided to push on with one of the Whitlam Government’s most controversial policy plans.
“This legislation prohibits the direct television and print advertising of tobacco products. That is it. The pro-smoking, pro-TV people need to understand that before they lose their pants. In this free market of ours, tobacco companies and advertisers must decide what their plan is now that the goalposts have been moved. I will not be moving them again.”
More to come.
