THE consumer watchdog has been asked to investigate ice cream company Ben and Jerry’s over its Great Barrier Reef claims.

Premier Campbell Newman told 4BC this morning he believed the company had been waging a misleading campaign against his government.

Earlier this week, state Environment Minister Andrew Powell called for Australians to boycott the American company, saying it has damaged the reputation of the Reef and jeopardised jobs and tourism dollars.

Government urges ice cream boycott

The issue has been referred to the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission.

“Ben and Jerry’s are running around saying the Great Barrier Reef is under threat and it’s because of the Abbot Point development,” Mr Newman said.

“Well I say this morning it is a misleading campaign. The former Bligh Government was going to build a super port at Abbot Point that involved dredging 12 to 13 times more material than under the proposal that has just been approved by us and the Federal Government.

“We have massively scaled that back. But Ben and Jerry’s are saying some quite misleading things.

“The World Wildlife Fund can make such false assertions, so be it. But a company is bound by consumer law and can’t make false and misleading statements and they are making false and misleading statements when it comes to this.

“The reef is not being impacted by Abbott Point. We have taken a lot of care over this.”

LNP Senator-elect Matthew Canavan has confirmed he wrote to the ACCC on Tuesday asking them to look into the Ben and Jerry’s and the ACCC had confirmed it was considering his request.

“Ben & Jerry’s can campaign on whatever issue they like but as a company they have an obligation to tell Australians the whole truth and nothing but the truth” said Senator-elect Canavan.

“Australia has strict laws to protect consumers against misleading and deceptive behaviour.

“These mistruths could cost jobs and development in regional Queensland. It’s irresponsible behaviour from a company that should know better.”