Obesity is a personal responsibility, not a disease

Rural Health Minister Fiona Nash rightly suggests "governments can't force-feed healthy food to people". But she established the Healthy Food Partnership to try. Australia is at the beginning of a major struggle for the hearts, minds and stomachs of its citizens.

Britain legislated for a sugar tax and for a while suggested restrictions on junk food marketing and advertising. Instead, the industry agreed to reduce by 20 per cent the amount of sugar in products such as cereals, desserts, yoghurts and sweets. Manufacturers who reduce sugar in their products will escape the sugar tax.

The money accrued by the levy on sugary drinks will fund breakfast clubs and sport. Schools will be asked to give pupils an extra 30 minutes a day of physical activity, and parents and carers will be encouraged to get their children moving for a further 30 minutes.

The target set for sugar reduction is flawed because it focuses on the role of a single nutrient when obesity is caused by excess calories from any nutrient.

Obesity is a big problem. An existential problem. Libertarians are in denial and the Left sees an opportunity to control the lives of all. The middle will muddle through, but the buck has to stop with you and your mouth - and your medical bills.