Digital Best Practice Guide

Approval of a new Digital Best Practice Guide, developed in consultation with a working group of Code signatories was approved by the ABAC board. The Code will now be shared with the Minister for Health by the Department of Health representative on the Management Committee. It is anticipated the Guide will be publicly released in late January 2024.

Hard Solo

The Chief Adjudicator also provided a thorough analysis of the Adjudication Panel’s recent determination on Hard Solo, noting the decision had been well received by media and stakeholders. Concerns from Code signatories regarding Asahi’s conduct in the transition period permitted under the ABAC Rules were raised and the Chief Executive committed to including transition arrangements to the issues paper for consideration by the consultant undertaking the Governance and Operations Review. The determination was circulated to all members of the ADA board the day it was handed down.

Wet Pussy

The Victorian Liquor Commission issued a banning notice for Wet Pussy Shot - refer here.

On 8 September 2021 Ad Standards considered an ad for the product and found it in breach of the AANA Code of Ethics. On 6 December 2021 ABAC made a final determination that the name and packaging of this product was in breach of ABAC standards (sexual success and appeal to minors). The Company did not respond to the final determination and so in accordance with ABAC’s Rules & Procedures, ABAC referred the complainant’s concerns to the Victorian Liquor Commission that month.

There was a considerable delay in the Commission considering this matter (despite regular enquiry from us), partly as the Commission was entirely restructured in 2022.

The Commission has agreed with the findings of both ABAC and Ad Standards and found that advertising and promotion of the Product is indirectly sexual or sexist and therefore is not in the public interest. The ban includes using this name on its labels and on any website used to promote the product.