Greens push to banish booze from sport

The Greens want to ban alcohol advertising in sport, saying the "crazy loophole" that allows children to be exposed to the promotions needs to be closed.

They are also calling for a senate inquiry to look at regulatory opportunities available to the federal government to curb the promotion of alcohol more broadly.

The inquiry would include an examination of how alcohol companies use social media and outdoor advertising to sell their products.

But first, they want to stop ads for beer, wine and spirits running during sport.

Acting Greens leader Richard Di Natale said Australia has a drinking culture that needs a fundamental re-assessment.

"We've got a situation where young children are drowning in alcohol advertising and promotion and something's got to give here," Senator Di Natale said on Friday.

"There's no question that when it comes to our drinking culture we need change at all levels."

He said an inquiry should look at the advertisement, promotion and sponsorship of alcohol, how it's affecting young kids and how they can be protected from it.

Ejecting alcohol ads from sport should be the first step, he said.

"We want to see this crazy loophole that exists around alcohol advertising - that allows us to advertise alcoholic products to young kids during sport but at no other time - we want to see that loophole closed," Senator Di Natale said.

Acting Opposition Leader Penny Wong said Labor was happy to talk to the Greens about the idea.

She noted the former Labor government established a preventative health agency to deal with alcohol abuse.