Page 1457 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 6 June 2007
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These reforms are an example of the hard work and commitment of this government on this critical health issue. Clearly our reforms are having a positive effect and a positive impact. Ms Gallagher’s commitment and strong leadership in this area have ensured that the good work of previous Labor governments has continued. Furthermore, the fruits of this work are reflected in the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report that revealed that smoking rates have dropped by a massive 23 per cent since 1977.
However, this is not the full picture. I have some serious concerns about the way in which the federal colleagues of some of us in this place have dealt with this issue. The federal government receives approximately $5.2 billion a year from tobacco taxes, but it chooses to contribute only a minute fraction of that amount to helping Australians kick the habit. The Howard government not only wants to reap the financial benefits of the taxes it collects from the misery that tobacco companies exact on our people but also wants the states and territories to pick up the tab for the economic and social havoc that smoking wreaks on our health care budget.
Not only does Mr Howard want the money instead of the lives, and not only does he want the states and territories to pay for the social and economic costs, but he continues to accept the tobacco companies’ funds. Their white-as-snow profits are adding to his party’s war chest. I refer to the donations and in-kind support the federal government receives from the tobacco giants. Perhaps we should imagine that these donations are given because the tobacco companies are firm believers in the fundamental ideology that champions the causes of social justice and fairness for all. You will forgive me, Mr Speaker, if I am somewhat cynical about this. The Australian Labor Party, with its policy of not accepting donations from this source, stands in stark contrast.
Are those opposite raising the roof about their federal colleagues’ behaviour? Are they protesting long and hard and calling on their colleagues in the hallowed house on the hill to commit to working with us to end this threat to our health and this drain on the public purse? Where is their compassion for the pain and suffering of thousands of Canberrans? It is inconceivable that this opposition believes that the minute amount of funding provided to help Australians who are addicted to nicotine to kick the habit is a reasonable amount of funding, given the $5.2 billion the federal government receives in taxes from tobacco.
We on this side of the chamber are not asking the opposition to agree with us on every single detail of our smoking reforms—either at present or in the future—although that would be refreshing. It would be a breath of fresh air, should we say? However, let us not hold our breath. We would ask that they make a passionate representation to their federal colleagues on this issue, for the sake of all Australians.
This government is doing its part. It has implemented a raft of measures and reforms designed to help all Canberrans who are impacted by smoking-related issues. I invite those opposite to do all they can to support these measures and talk some sense into their federal colleagues.
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