The Public Health and Safety (Fossil Fuel Advertising) Bill is being introduced in NSW.
NSW politicians are backing a ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorships across the state.
It comes after two major NSW councils, City of Sydney and Inner West, moved to restrict promotions for coal, petroleum and natural gas on council property and at council events – bringing the national total to five.
Those votes were backed by Independents, Greens, and Labor councillors.
In an Australian first, NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson, is bringing in a bill for an Act to prohibit advertising by fossil fuel companies – the Public Health and Safety (Fossil Fuel Advertising) Bill
Independent NSW MPs, Justin Field and Alex Greenwich are supportive of restrictions on fossil fuel advertising.
Alex Greenwich recently asked a question of the government about fossil fuel sponsorships in schools.
The campaign to ban fossil fuel advertising is run by Comms Declare, and backed by more than 200 health professionals who signed an open letter to politicians in July.
Belinda Noble, Comms Declare Founder said: “Air pollution from fossil fuels kills twice as many Australians as road accidents every year. It’s only reasonable that businesses that cause such harm should not be allowed to advertise themselves without restrictions.
“It’s hypocritical to restrict advertising for tobacco, gambling, alcohol and some foods, but not coal, petroleum or gas.
“Fossil fuel marketing only exists to stimulate demand for toxic coal, petrol and methane gas, polluting our air, accelerating climate change and delaying the transition to clean energy.
“Advertising self-regulation has failed to protect the public, and a ban on fossil fuel advertising is the only way we can effectively and quickly stamp out greenwashing and misinformation.
Child and adolescent psychiatrist and paediatrician, Dr Cybele Dey said: “Mining coal, oil and gas threatens the health and wellbeing of all Australians and everyone on this planet and I hope all NSW MPs and Senators act to protect health by ending fossil fuel advertising.
“Health professionals support stopping fossil fuel advertising because they witness the human toll from burning fossil fuels via air pollution and climate change.
“As a child and adolescent psychiatrist and paediatrician, I’m especially concerned about our children and young people, over 50% of whom feel betrayed by governments over climate change. We are already seeing more children coming to hospital with self-harm during extreme heat and depression following climate-fuelled disasters.
“Leadership by NSW MPs and Senators to stop fossil fuel advertising would provide realistic hope for young people and protect health into the future.”
Sue Higginson MP said: “Climate change is the biggest public health crisis we’re facing and this bill recognises the huge and destructive contribution fossil fuel companies make to this crisis.
“It’s wrong that these companies that are causing so much damage and who are behind the terrible climate disasters we’re now continually facing are able to run public advertising campaigns showing wind turbines and solar panels or to have their names on the uniforms of our children’s sports teams.
“We need to remove that opportunity for these companies to influence our communities and I commend Comms Declare for their commitment to making this happen.”
