The alcohol industry’s peak lobby group Alcohol Beverages Australia has a powerful ally in the chairman of the ministerial forum on food regulation. Liberal MP Richard Colbeck has put forward similar arguments to the ABA to delay the adoption of stronger health warnings. Food ministers are due to vote next week on the issue, writes Luke Stacey.
In 2018, Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck returned to parliament in true revolving doors fashion after a 14 month stint as chairman for peak gambling lobbyists Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA). Colbeck is also chairman of the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation who have been pivotal in recently delaying a new mandatory pregnancy warning label for all alcohol products in the interest of alcohol industry lobbyists.
John S Horvath was The Australian Government Chief Medical Officer (CMO) from 2003 to 2009 and is now the Deputy Chairman for Crown Resorts Ltd. Horvath has close ties to the Packer family, previously a personal physician to the late Kerry Packer.
Former Minister for Hospitality, Gaming and Racing and heavy donor recipient from Tabcorp and other racing lobbyists, Troy Grant now serves as Chairman of the Integrity Assurance Committee for RacingNSW.
George Souris is a former member of the NSW Parliament, representing Upper Hunter for The Nationals. During his time with the Nationals he received a total of $13,000 in donations from The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) and was instrumental in signing the 2010 Memorandum of Understanding with ClubsNSW which afforded the lobbyist organisation several benefits including a $300 million tax break. Souris is now Director on the board of RacingNSW, appointed in December 2017.
Quad Erat Demonstrandum
