The Australian Greens welcomed the news today, World No Tobacco Day, that the Coalition will not oppose plain packaging legislation.

Australian Greens health spokesperson, Senator Rachel Siewert says the Coalition should now belatedly stop the practice of accepting political donations from Big Tobacco.

"The Coalition have finally seen the light on plain packaging, so now would be the perfect time for them to quit the habit of accepting donations from Big Tobacco.

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has called for more Coalition MPs to voice their support for plain cigarette packaging.

“A strong political and legislative stance is needed, and it is good that some members of the Coalition appear to be taking that approach, rather than following the non-committal path taken by Tony Abbott,” Senator Siewert said today.

Australian Greens health spokesperson, Senator Rachel Siewert speaks to ABC Canberra's Drive program about a floor price on tobacco and the industry's ongoing campaign against preventitive health measures.

Audio is Copyright of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The Australian Greens will push for a floor price on cigarettes amid tobacco industry threats to slash prices if the government’s legislation for plain packaging is introduced. The funds raised should go to cancer research, Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“The tobacco industry is fighting for its life, but not the health of Australian, with plans to flood the market with cheap tobacco,” Senator Siewert said in Canberra.

TOBACCO Senator SIEWERT (Western Australia) (1.56 pm)—I move: That the Senate—

The Australian Greens have expressed disappointment with the Government and Coalition’s reluctance to support a motion calling for a review of the Future Fund’s investment criteria.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens Health spokesperson put the motion after it was revealed that the Future Fund holds over $100 million worth of investments in overseas tobacco companies.

“I was amazed by revelations regarding the Future Fund’s investment in Big Tobacco,” said Senator Siewert. “There's no doubt that such an investment is ethically and financially flawed.”

The Australian Greens believe the Federal Government's Future Fund should be subject to revised investment criteria after it was revealed that the Fund holds over $100 million of shares in overseas tobacco companies.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens Health Spokesperson said today that the investments were ethically and financially flawed.

"We're trying to break the hold of tobacco on our society and yet for every packet of cigarettes sold, the Futures Fund is better off," Senator Siewert said today.

The Australian Greens say Big Tobacco is continuing a costly and time consuming campaign to block anti-smoking reforms.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens Health spokesperson says documents tabled in Senate Estimates reveal the excessive requests under FOI to the Department of Health and Ageing - including detailed requests initially costed at over $1.4 million before taxpayer funded negotiations with Big Tobacco saw this figure reduced to around $360,000. 

Community Affairs Wednesday 23 February

Ms Halton—Senator Siewert asked whether we had received any new FOI requests.

Senator SIEWERT—Yes.

Ms Halton—Since the last committee session the department received one new request which was subsequently withdrawn by the applicant. There are 16 requests currently being processed and an updated list is available for tabling. You asked about costs?

Senator SIEWERT—Yes.