Tuesday, 04 March 2025
Monday, 31 March 2025
Position description is available at http://www.abac.org.au/about/position-available/.
Please address expressions of interest to Chief Executive Officer, The ABAC Scheme Limited by close of business on Monday, 31 March 2025 via email to cwedgwood@abac.org.au.
The ABAC Scheme Limited
The ABAC Scheme (‘ABAC’) is the industry-led regulatory scheme for alcohol beverage marketing in Australia. Established in 1998, it is governed by a Management Committee comprising the CEOs of the three peak alcohol industry association sponsors of ABAC, the CEO of the Ad Council, and a representative of the Federal Department of Health. The Committee’s independent Chair is the Hon. Tony Smith, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
ABAC’s regulation aims to ensure that alcohol marketing aligns with community standards for responsible alcohol use and supports the harm minimisation objectives of the National Alcohol Strategy established by Australian governments. It achieves this by promoting industry compliance with the best marketing practices outlined in the Responsible Alcohol Marketing Code (the Code).
The Scheme has three components:
- the Code;
- proactive support of industry compliance, including the ABAC Pre-vetting service; and
- the public complaints process.
Proactive compliance support encompasses industry training and resources. Also, it provides independent advice to alcohol marketers about aligning proposed marketing communications with the Code standards through the Pre-vetting service.
Ad Standards refers public complaints about alcohol advertising, including product packaging and branding, to ABAC. The Scheme’s Chief Adjudicator assesses these complaints, which can then be forwarded to the ABAC Adjudication Panel. Panel members possess public health, marketing, media, and community research expertise. The Chief Adjudicator of the Panel is the former Australian Attorney-General, Professor Michael Lavarch.
The panel’s operations and decisions are independent of the scheme’s governance and the alcohol industry. A Complaints Manager supports the Panel.
ABAC Independent Complaints Adjudication Panel
- Key role in alcohol marketing regulation
- Remote role, can be located anywhere in Australia
- Limited hours
- Suit experienced market research/ marketing professional or academic
- Understanding of youth (under 18) trends and behaviours advantageous
The Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) Scheme was established in 1998 and is a regulatory scheme for the Australian alcohol and alcohol styled products industry. ABAC exists to promote responsible marketing (including naming and packaging). Standards are set out in the Responsible Alcohol Marketing Code. The ABAC Adjudication Panel is an independent body and its Panelists report to its Chief Adjudicator, former Australian Attorney-General, Professor Hon Michael Lavarch AO.
A Panelist with significant market research/marketing experience and a strong understanding of consumer perceptions, in particular youth (under 18 year old) trends and behaviours, is sought. Panelists must be available to participate in teleconferences with the Chief Adjudicator and a Health Sector Panelist to adjudicate upon complaints about alcohol marketing. Teleconferences are scheduled as required.
A Panelist with significant market research/marketing experience and a strong understanding of consumer perceptions, in particular youth (under 18 year old) trends and behaviours, is sought. Panelists must be available to participate in teleconferences with the Chief Adjudicator and a Health Sector Panelist to adjudicate upon complaints about alcohol marketing.
The position is casual. Remuneration comprises a retainer and an adjudication fee component.
As the role is remote, a panellist can be anywhere in Australia. Occasional interstate travel may be required.
The role commences on 1 July 2025.
There is a pool of five panellists, with decisions made by three members, including the Chief Adjudicator. The Panel reviews and adjudicates public complaints regarding the marketing, naming, or packaging of alcohol or alcohol-styled products with the best marketing practices outlined in the Code.
Panellists receive materials and information regarding the complaint and marketing communication. The Panel operates remotely through document exchange, email, telephone, and video conferencing. Most decisions are made by consensus, or by a majority vote when consensus cannot be achieved. While not bound by the rules of evidence, Panel processes adhere to standards of procedural fairness. Each decision is accompanied by thoroughly written explanations.
A broad understanding of public policy on health, consumer protection, regulation and media/advertising issues is considered favourably.
Highly developed reasoning and communication skills.
In addition, Panellists must be independent of and perceived to be independent of the alcohol industry. Applicants must not have been employees of a participant or member of the alcohol or alcohol-styled product industry for five years before or during their appointment, and any interaction with the industry, including working with a marketing agency with industry clients, must be disclosed during the application process.