Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP

During a television interview this last Sunday, the Health Minister stated a tax on sugar would not change people's behaviour. The Minister's statement is surprising given the 400 per cent tax on tobacco the Government uses to try and change people's behaviour. So, which is it, Mr Minister?

Irrespective of whether or not this Government is capable of communicating honestly, New Zealand First has not changed our stance against the taxation on food. Accordingly, we are against a tax on sugar.

Instead, we are advocating the Government regulates the amount of sugar that can be added to our food and we launch an effective campaign to educate the public on the harmful effects of sugar.

Regulating how much sugar goes into our food would protect consumers from unnecessary health risks, without affecting their ability to purchase groceries each week.

Such regulation might also save our taste buds. Who knows what some of our favourite foods might actually taste like without all the added sugar!

A campaign educating the public would also be a powerful and effective way of changing public behaviour without taxing their pockets. Information empowers people to make the best decisions for themselves and their families from a place of strength and confidence. Surely this is what we want to be promoting.

A tax on sugar would only hurt the pockets of the very people whose health it's already taxing.

Policies need to be honest, transparent and in the best interest of all New Zealanders. It's time to get real.