Bundy Bear caught in binge brawl
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23885067-29277,00.html?from=public_rss
By Denis Peters

June 18, 2008 07:04pm
Article from: AAP

HE is the bear who knows how to have a good time, even when his mates cover him in pink.

But the Bundy Bear, TV advertising symbol of Queensland's Bundaberg Rum, stirred up a hornet's nest during Federal Parliament's question time today.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon, who just yesterday fended off suggestions she is a wowser because of the Government's crackdown on binge drinking, went on the attack today and had Bundy in her sights.

She pointed out that Nationals MP Paul Neville, whose seat of Hinkler encompasses the city of Bundaberg, actually had a life-sized facsimile of Bundy in his parliamentary office window.

She suggested Mr Neville's choice of window decorations symbolised the Opposition's "flippant" approach to the problem of binge drinking.

"Imagine my surprise, walking past the member for Hinkler's office - I came across, in the window of his office, a life-sized bear, not just an ordinary bear, in fact a white bear, a polar bear, quite a famous bear - Bundy Bear," Ms Roxon said to a howls from the Opposition.

"(It's) the only bear in the country with its whole life committed to promoting alcohol. The point is ... the Opposition has alcohol advertisements in the Parliament.

"You don't think it's a problem."

Mr Neville, who was absent from the chamber for the barbs, returned later to defend Bundy.

"(Ms Roxon) said that I promoted binge drinking. I have never promoted binge drinking. In fact I have promoted responsible drinking," he said.

"Secondly, she criticised my choice of window display, the Bundy Bear, which I've had in place for at least two terms of this Parliament, which has never (attracted) any question.

"It is a ... light-hearted symbol of my town which has taken the product in question to the sporting community of Australia and to the world. I am proud to represent that company."