Labor and the Libs need to kick their tobacco habit completely

Pay Back Dirty Donations and Cease the RBF’s Investment in Big Tobacco

The Tasmanian Greens today increased the pressure on both State Labor and Liberal parties over corporate tobacco political donations and investments, in light of election commitments made by their federal counterparts last week.

Greens Health spokesperson, Paul O’Halloran MP, said that while Tony Abbott’s policy backflip to now prohibit the Liberals from accepting big tobacco donations put Will Hodgman in an embarrassing position, Kevin Rudd’s promise to also phase out public sector superannuation funds’ Big Tobacco investments meant that state Labor was not off the hook either.

“The Greens have challenged the Tasmanian Liberals to disclose whether they have received any further Big Tobacco donations since the last published amount of $38, 000 in 2010-11, and if so, to disclose how much and donate that same amount to Tasmania’s hard-working anti-tobacco NGOs such as Quit Tasmania and the Cancer Council,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“State Labor are not off the hook here either, following Prime Minister Rudd’s tobacco policy announcements.”

“Kevin Rudd has also publicly committed to requiring all public-sector superannuation funds to divest themselves of all tobacco-related shares and investments, which the Premier did not seem aware of today.”

“While they have been quite smug about demanding Will Hodgman play catch-up to Tony Abbott’s position, State Labor has some catching up to do as well when it comes to meeting Mr Rudd’s new super funds policy commitment.”

“To do so, Premier Giddings needs to commit to requiring Tasmania’s public sector super fund, the RBF, divest its Big Tobacco investments.”

“Last financial year, the RBF had $27 million of Tasmania’s public servants’ super invested in Big Tobacco. Many other superannuation funds around the nation which have already voluntarily recognised such investment is out of step with community expectations and have divested accordingly,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“I can barely believe I’m finding myself saying this, but in this respect Mr Rudd and Mr Abbott have set the bar for their respective state counterparts. The question now is, will Premier Giddings and Mr Hodgman meet the challenge, or will they resort to playing limbo to avoid having to act themselves?”
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Health Spokesperson