We're a nation of unfit fatties, says fast-food queen

AUSTRALIA'S most famous fast-food seller, Pauline Hanson, supports Jamie Oliver's efforts to improve our eating habits but thinks he should visit Ipswich to promote the program.

By InvestSMART · 14 Nov 2010

By InvestSMART ·
14 Nov 2010

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AUSTRALIA'S most famous fast-food seller, Pauline Hanson, supports Jamie Oliver's efforts to improve our eating habits but thinks he should visit Ipswich to promote the program.

The former One Nation leader ran a fish and chip shop in Ipswich, 40 kilometres south-west of Brisbane, in the 1990s when she was a local councillor, and later when she was the federal MP for Oxley.

In her maiden speech she said she had views based on "commonsense, and my experience as a mother of four children, as a sole parent and as a businesswoman running a fish and chip shop".

Last week, Ms Hanson was unaware that celebrity English chef Jamie Oliver had chosen Ipswich to set up a branch of his Ministry of Food to promote healthy eating.

"I've just come back from 2? months overseas so I haven't heard a thing about it," she said.

After hearing the salient points of the project she said she "fully encouraged it".

"But if he's behind it he should be serious and take the time and effort to be part of it. I know he's very busy but I'd like to see him at the launch because it would really take off and that's what we need."

Ms Hanson said she had recently toured countries including France, Germany, Holland and England, and she thought people there were "much fitter looking than Australians".

"When I came back here I really noticed how overweight and unfit people look, and I don't just mean the people of Ipswich; I mean people everywhere," she said.

When she ran her fish and chip shop, people ate fast-food only once a week as a treat, she said. "I wasn't overweight and my children weren't overweight because we had plenty of exercise and ate lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

"People have to take more personal responsibility for their health but fresh food here is much too expensive because Coles and Woolworths have too much control of the market."

Fresh food was much cheaper overseas, she said, and the Australian government should not allow the best quality food to be exported.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What did Pauline Hanson say about Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food in Ipswich?

Pauline Hanson said she fully encouraged Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food project to promote healthy eating in Ipswich. She admitted she hadn’t known the program was being set up there, but after hearing the details she said she’d like to see Oliver attend the launch because his presence would help the initiative take off.

How did Pauline Hanson describe Australians’ fitness and eating habits compared with Europeans?

After touring countries such as France, Germany, Holland and England, Hanson said people overseas looked 'much fitter' than Australians. She said that on returning home she noticed Australians appeared more overweight and unfit, not just in Ipswich but everywhere.

What experience did Pauline Hanson cite from running a fish and chip shop that relates to diet and health?

Hanson said when she ran a fish and chip shop in Ipswich in the 1990s, people treated fast food as an occasional weekly treat. She added that she and her children weren’t overweight then because they exercised and ate plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

What did the article say about Coles and Woolworths and fresh food prices?

The article reports Hanson’s view that fresh food in Australia is 'much too expensive' because Coles and Woolworths have too much control of the market. She suggested that market concentration contributes to higher prices for fresh produce.

Did Pauline Hanson propose any government action on food exports?

Yes — Hanson said the Australian government should not allow the best quality food to be exported, a suggestion she made while talking about local fresh food availability and prices.

How might Jamie Oliver’s Ipswich project influence consumer interest in fresh food — and what should investors watch?

The article frames the Ipswich branch of Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food as a health-promotion effort that could raise local awareness of fresh eating. Everyday investors might watch for changes in consumer demand toward fresh produce, local partnerships or publicity that could affect food retailers and local food businesses.

What investor considerations arise from Hanson’s comments about grocery market control?

Hanson’s remarks highlight political and public scrutiny of market concentration in groceries. For investors, that suggests watching for potential regulatory pressure, pricing scrutiny or policy proposals that could affect margins, reputation or competitive dynamics for major supermarket operators.

Which companies are mentioned in the article and why might investors monitor them?

The article specifically names Coles and Woolworths in the context of fresh food prices and market control. Investors may monitor these companies for any political or public responses to concerns about grocery concentration, as well as for shifts in consumer habits toward healthier, fresher options highlighted by initiatives like Jamie Oliver’s.