Cold Turkey for tobacco donations

The Tasmanian Greens will take action in the House of Assembly tomorrow for the immediate introduction of a Tasmanian state-based political donations system that would ban all political donations from tobacco companies.

Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said that it is the responsibility for all political representatives to show leadership on this issue by refusing to accept political donations from big tobacco.

Mr O’Halloran said the Greens intend to bring on their motion for debate tomorrow in Private Members Time.

“It’s disgraceful for political parties in Tasmania, where smoking rates are the highest in the country, to continue to accept money from cigarette company death merchants, and the Greens will be giving the House of Assembly tomorrow the opportunity to vote for a ban on tobacco political donations” Mr O’Halloran said.

“The Greens don’t accept the argument that donations from big tobacco come without the expectation of political favours.”

“Tobacco companies across the world have shown they will stop at nothing to curry political favour and further their own economic interests.”

“The Tasmanian Liberal Party is hopelessly compromised on this issue, after having been exposed as receiving donations to help their members get elected including large donations from Phillip Morris and British American Tobacco Australia.”

“The Greens applaud moves by New South Wales and other states to implement state-based political donation reforms which prohibit donations by tobacco companies, and think it’s time for Tasmania to move in the same direction.”

“Tasmania already has the highest smoking rates of all Australian states, with the Braddon electorate recording a smoking rate 10 per cent above the national average.”

“Tasmania has the highest rate of women who smoke during pregnancy, and the uptake rate by young Tasmanians is among the highest in the nation.”

“More than two thirds of all acute hospital admissions are smokers, but only a quarter of the population smokes – the consequence being that any further increases in smokers pushes up admission rates and hospital costs,” Mr O’Halloran said.

NOTICE OF MOTION

TUESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2011

Paul O’Halloran MP on tomorrow to move –

That this House:

1. Notes that Tasmania has the highest smoking rates of all Australian states with Braddon recording a smoking rate of 29.7%, which is approximately 10 % above the national average;

2. Condemns efforts by big tobacco companies threats to campaign against the Federal Government’s plain packaging plans;

3. Applauds moves by New South Wales and other states to implement state-based political donation reforms which prohibits the acceptance by political parties of donations by tobacco companies; and

4. Calls for an immediate commitment to the introduction of Tasmanian state-based political donations restrictions that will prohibit political donations by tobacco companies being accepted by either state parties or individuals.

Wednesday:

TOBACCO DONATIONS SOON TO BE STUBBED OUT
Greens Poised for 2nd Big Policy Win in 2 Weeks
Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Health spokesperson

The Tasmanian Greens today said that state-based action to end political donations from big tobacco should be a top priority, in light of the appalling and irresponsible attack by big tobacco against the Commonwealth’s moves to introduce plain cigarette packaging.

Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP welcomed the Labor’s commitment to support the Greens motion calling for a state-based ban on tobacco company donations to be introduced.

“Tobacco companies have proven themselves to be unscrupulous, heartless and manipulative in their attempts to influence governments to further their own economic interests,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“Not that long ago, tobacco company advertising was plastered around sports grounds, bill boards and public transport. If it is good enough for sports clubs to stop taking tobacco company sponsorship, it is good enough for political parties to also reject that sponsorship.”

“The best way to end big tobacco’s influence in politics is to prevent all political parties and individuals from accepting any money from these corporations.”

“The Greens are therefore pleased that the Attorney General Brian Wightman has committed to vote in support for a ban on tobacco company donations, which will form part of a package of broader parliamentary reforms currently under development.”

“This is a great example of how power-sharing parliament can bring about a positive result that will improve political party accountability and make a positive contribution to public health policy.”

“Although New South Wales has already implemented such measures, and Queensland is on the way, Tasmania is once again demonstrating that it’s prepared to be a progressive leader on issues that count.”

“Any political party that accepts money from these death merchants should hang their heads in shame, and after today’s historic vote the Tasmanian Liberal Party will be on notice that it will have to change to keep in step with community expectations.”