DISGUSTING AND DISGRACEFUL - COALITION STILL ACCEPTING BIG TOBACCO CASH

The Coalition’s continued acceptance of donations from Big Tobacco is an absolute disgrace.

The latest records from the Australian Electoral Commission show the Nationals accepted $15,700 in the 2016/17 financial year. 

 

Malcolm Turnbull needs to explain why he thinks it is acceptable for his Coalition partner to fill their coffers with donations from an industry who profits from putting Australians in coffins.

 

While these donations continue, National Senator Bridget McKenzie’s position as Minister for Rural Health is completely untenable. 

 

Smoking is the single most important preventable cause of ill health and death in Australia, accounting for more than 15,000 deaths each year.  The likelihood of being a daily smoker in rural and remote Australia is up to twice as high as it is in metropolitan areas.

 

Turnbull also needs to explain his failure to divest from funds that invest in tobacco – he continues to have shares in three funds that invest in tobacco.

 

Turnbull has the choice about where he invests his money – and he knows these funds invest in tobacco companies.

 

In contrast, Labor has a long-standing policy not to accept donations from tobacco companies - a position that continues to be reflected in Labor’s National Platform. We introduced and fought for world-leading plain packaging legislation that, complemented by other policies, has seen adolescent smoking rates drop to a record low.

 

It’s unacceptable for the Prime Minister of this country to have a financial stake in two of the world’s biggest tobacco companies. It’s unacceptable for the Nationals to continue to take tobacco donations. 

Wherever you look this Government has zero credibility on tackling smoking-related deaths.