Plain Packaging of Tobacco Law Delayed
It seems the battle to get the plain packaging legislation passed through the Senate quickly continues to be an upheaval as the final vote has been delayed.
Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, expressed her frustration at this and accused the Opposition of being the cause of the delay.
“The Opposition has twice chosen to stall the Bill by choosing to debate procedural, administrative issues, playing into the hands of the tobacco companies.
“Given the delays in passing the Bill caused by the Opposition, the Government now has no choice but to reconsider the impact on implementation timeframes.
“It is disappointing that Senate tactical shenanigans have today stood in the way of an important piece of public health legislation becoming law,” Ms Roxon said.
Throughout the journey so far, Roxon has managed to shield against the attacks of tobacco companies such British American Tobacco Australia (BATA) who threatened to challenge the Federal Government in court if the legislation passes through the Senate.
Now, Roxon’s biggest challenge seems to be defeating the delay that has re-occurred so many times throughout the process. The finish line is close but it still needs to be passed.
Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, put forward the Opposition’s position and stated the coalition supports the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill but disagrees with the Trademarks Amendment. Ms Fierravanti-Wells stated the Trademarks Amendment is “not written to reduce rates of smoking.”
Fierravanti-Wells then went on to lash out against Roxon in her statement “The Minister for Health and Ageing has taken the attitude that if you do not agree with her 100 per cent then you must be in the pockets of tobacco companies.”
The Greens are continuing to offer their support in pushing for the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill. Greens Senator, Richard Di Natale reinforced the urgency to get the legislation passed through the Senate quickly and said, “I call on all the parties to give plain packaging a speedy passage through the Senate.”
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