In Committee

Senator SIEWERT (Western Australia) (1.14 pm)—The Greens believe that the real challenge for our health system, now and into the future, is managing illness in a way that keeps people out of hospital and well. We believe the evidence is overwhelming that our health policies should focus on keeping people well, preventing illness and better managing illness in the community. We very strongly believe in preventative health measures—and, of course, helping to keep people well is where preventative health comes in.

Senator SIEWERT (Western Australia) (4.46 pm)—I move:

The Australian Greens say a series of Freedom of Information requests made by as-yet unnamed tobacco companies indicates the industry is prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to undermine a range of health initiatives.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens Health spokesperson, learned through Senate Estimates that tobacco companies had lodged 19 FOI requests to the Department of Health seeking very extensive information and internal documents going back almost twenty years.

The Greens are extremely concerned by revelations that international tobacco companies spent $5 million on advertising during the recent federal election.

"International tobacco companies (Phillip Morris, British American Tobacco Australia and Imperial Tobacco) used a front organisation - the Alliance of Australian Retailers - in an attempt to prevent the introduction of plain packaging laws, which are supported by the ALP and Greens," said Greens health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"We believe these matters need to be referred to the ACCC immediately."

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has used a Public Health Association of Australia forum in Perth today to outline Greens’ suite of health policies ahead of Saturday’s election.

Senator Siewert also launched the Greens’ Dementia Initiative, identifying the disorder as the single leading cause of disability in older Australians.

The Australian Greens say the Coalition’s health plan may offer short term improvements to hospital waiting lists but not reduce the number of Australians requiring admission.

Health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert says two thirds of the $3 billion promised for new beds will be directed to hospitals, offering some initial reduction in access block but doing nothing to reduce further demand.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens Health spokesperson has called on voters to reject an advertising blitz from retailers opposing new plain tobacco packaging laws- a campaign which is being financed by the tobacco industry.

Senator Siewert says the Greens and major health organisations across the country believe the new anti-smoking measures are important to reduce the impact of smoking in Australia.

The Australian Greens today said they would move amendments to set a floor price on cigarettes to stop Coles and any other retailers flooding the Australian markets with cheap and harmful products.

"Coles' action in bringing in cheaper cigarettes is irresponsible," said Senator Siewert, Australian Green health spokesperson today.

"The cigarette tax was increased in an effort to reduce the terrible health toll that smoking has in Australia. Importing cheaper cigarettes into Australia undermines the impact of these public health measures"