Coalition accused of secretly giving big tobacco lobbyists private platform in parliament | Smoking

Anti-smoking campaigners accused the Coalition of secretly giving tobacco giants access to the parliamentary inquiry, saying the move undermined more than 15 years of precedent to protect public health.

On Monday, representatives of tobacco company Philip Morris appeared before a Senate committee considering the illegal tobacco trade in Australia.

The committee, chaired by South Australian Liberal senator Leah Blyth, also heard from anti-smoking campaigners, health groups and the Australian Border Force; but Labor, the Greens and the Australian Council on Smoking and Health have expressed concerns that directors of cigarette manufacturers were allowed to give evidence in a closed session in Canberra.

The committee released a full schedule for Monday’s hearings, but did not list evidence from Philip Morris or any other “in-camera” or private sessions.

Labor senator Jana Stewart and Greens senator Jordon Steele-John objected to the on-camera evidence from representatives of Philip Morris on Monday afternoon.

Health minister Mark Butler wrote to Blyth on Friday last week reminding him of Australia’s obligations under the World Health Organization agreement on tobacco control; This agreement required public officials to protect health policy from interference by the tobacco industry and related interests.

Department of Health guidance recommends that Australian public officials, including members of parliament, should only engage with tobacco manufacturers’ executives and lobbyists “when and to the extent absolutely necessary” to effectively regulate smoking.

The ministry also emphasizes that interactions must be conducted in a transparent manner.

Butler wrote to Blyth and Senate president Sue Lines: “I strongly recommend that the committee not invite representatives who undermine this obligation.”

Stewart said efforts by public officials to “be mindful of any influence or advice” from big tobacco companies are wise.

Steele-John later confirmed that the private hearing had taken place and promised to release a transcript of the evidence.

He said at a public hearing: “We received on-camera evidence from Philip Morris. During our meetings, I shared with them that I was opposed to their presence as a witness in this investigation.”

Australian Council on Smoking and Health chief executive Laura Hunter said she was “concerned that individuals or organizations with links to the tobacco industry have been invited to participate in this investigation”.

“We know the committee may want to hear from a variety of stakeholders,” he said.

“But the tobacco industry is not a neutral stakeholder. It is a commercial actor whose profits depend on the continued sale of a product that kills Australians every day, and whose interests are directly affected by the results of this investigation.”

The presence of individuals from major tobacco companies does not strengthen decision-making, Hunter said, “it compromises it.”

Guardian Australia has contacted the company and Blyth for comment.

Mark Brooke, chief executive of the Lung Foundation, told the hearing that tobacco companies had used concealment and denial of health harms for at least 50 years.

“To figure this out, just look at the tobacco companies that presented evidence before the U.S. Senate denying lung cancer in the 60s and 70s,” he said.

“It’s fair to say that big tobacco says things like ‘we want to make the world smoke-free’ but then defies every meaningful attempt by governments to stop the production or sale of its products, not just here in Australia but around the world.”

Cancer Council Australia chief executive Jacinta Reddan said it had been 16 years since big tobacco had a platform in the federal parliament.

He pointed to article 5.3 of the World Health Organization’s framework convention on tobacco control, which is designed to stop cigarette and e-cigarette manufacturers from interfering with public health policy.

“We are very concerned that this opportunity was given to them behind closed doors, away from the scrutiny of the Australian public,” Reddan said.

Customs deputy minister Julian Hill called on Coalition senators to reveal the secret hearing.

“Australians should be shocked and outraged that the committee chose today to obtain secret evidence from big tobacco,” he said.

“They are quick to comment when it suits them, but they still want to sneak into parliamentary inquiry when it doesn’t suit them.”