Call for Liberal Party Commitment to Support
The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the Liberal Party’s sudden concern that Tasmania’s public sector superannuation fund had invested money into tobacco companies, urging the Liberals to support a Greens Bill to end the practice.
Greens Acting Leader Tim Morris MP said the Greens have been pursuing the matter since last year, and would be introducing a Bill to State Parliament this year to ensure public sector superannuation was not invested in life-destroying tobacco companies.
“We welcome Matthew Groom’s concern about this issue, which is why we look forward to his support when the Greens introduce our amendments to State Parliament this year,” Mr Morris said.
“Based on our investigations into this issue, it appears that the State currently has no legal capacity to direct the Retirement Benefits Fund to invest its money away from tobacco companies, and that will need to be addressed.”
“Treating tobacco related disease costs governments billions every year, so it’s clearly unacceptable for a public sector superannuation fund to be investing members’ money into these unscrupulous companies.”
“One way to address this issue is through the Parliament, and the true test of whether the Liberal Party is prepared to stand up for public health is whether they support the Greens’ Bill when it comes before the House.”
“The Liberals certainly failed the test last year when they voted against legislation to introduce a state ban on political donations from tobacco companies, as long-campaigned for by the Greens.”
“It’s hypocritical for the Liberals to simultaneously have a policy supporting tobacco company donations, while they claim to be concerned about where the super funds are investing members’ money. It’s never too late to change.”
Tim Morris MP Greens Acting Leader Sunday, 10 February 2013
