Academic raises concerns over tobacco giant's private testimony at inquiry
Quick Look
- A public health academic has voiced concerns that a tobacco giant was allowed to give private testimony at a parliamentary inquiry into black market tobacco.
- Professor Becky Freeman questioned the safety of allowing the company to advocate for a cut to tobacco excise, citing the health risks to consumers.
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Why It Matters
A parliamentary inquiry is examining black market tobacco. Philip Morris was allowed to give private testimony due to safety concerns. Professor Becky Freeman, a public health expert, has raised concerns about this private testimony.
A leading public health academic has voiced fresh concern a cigarette giant was allowed to push for a cut to the tobacco excise behind closed doors at a recent parliamentary inquiry.
The May 4 hearing of the inquiry examining black market tobacco saw Philip Morris permitted to give testimony in private due to safety concerns.
The transcript of the hearing is now available online with names redacted and reveals an representative, known only as "Witness A", told the hearing a reduction of the tobacco excise would allow the federal government to "materially reduce illicit tobacco and bring consumers back into regulated channels".
Professor Becky Freeman, a long-time public health expert, gave evidence to yesterday's hearing and criticised the private testimony.
"I would turn it back to, what about the health and safety of their best customers, where two out of three people who don't quit, will die as a result of using those products. What kind of health and safety are we offering to them?" she told the hearing yesterday evening.
Professor Freeman is among health experts who are firmly against lowering the tobacco excise, a position also held by the federal government.
Hello and welcome to this morning's federal politics live blog! It's great to have you here with us early this Tuesday.
I'm Josh Boscaini joining you live from Parliament House in Canberra here and ready to bring you all of today's federal politics news.
First up this morning, a public health academic has raised concerns a cigarette giant was allowed to push for a cut to the tobacco excise behind closed doors at a recent parliamentary inquiry.
And the health minister has been on the defensive about the federal government's budget measures, including a new minimum 30 per cent tax on discretionary trusts and NDIS overhaul.
Let's get into the day and see what happens!
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Open Questions
- What were the specific safety concerns that led to Philip Morris's private testimony?
- What was the full extent of Philip Morris's arguments for reducing the tobacco excise?
- What is the federal government's official stance on the proposed tobacco excise cut?
- Will the findings of the inquiry address the concerns raised by Professor Freeman?