The Tasmanian Greens said the Minister for Finance Scott Bacon was creating a national embarrassment by his stubborn refusal to take action toward ending the Retirement Benefit Fund’s investment in the tobacco industry.
In State Parliament today, Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP called on the Minister to write to the RBF board requesting they review their current policy on tobacco investments.
“The Minister wheeled out a bunch of feeble excuses for his failure to do anything about the unethical use of public sector superannuation to prop up tobacco companies,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“Hot on the heels of Tasmania receiving a national award for efforts to curb smoking, the Mr Bacon is busily taking off the shine off our reputation by refusing to do anything about RBF’s tobacco investments.”
“Our own state super fund continues to invest in tobacco to the tune of about $27 million dollars, while similar super funds around the country are dumping their tobacco investments in droves.”
“Tasmania still has the nation’s highest percentage of people who smoke, but we are lagging behind the nation ending the financial ties between public sector superannuation and big tobacco.”
“If we want to accept accolades, then we also need to accept responsibility to keep demonstrating leadership in this area.”
“The RBF Board elections are currently underway, and the Greens urge all RBF members to lobby their candidates and vote for those who will commit to reforming the current tobacco investments regime.”
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Health Spokesperson Wednesday, 29 May 2013
