A Senate committee chaired by Liberal senator Leah Blyth has been accused of undermining 15 years of precedent by allowing tobacco company Philip Morris to give evidence in a closed session in Canberra. Anti-smoking campaigners say this move secretly gives tobacco giants a platform in parliament, compromising public health protections.
Closed-Door Hearing Sparks Outrage
On Monday, representatives from Philip Morris appeared before a Senate committee investigating the illegal tobacco trade in Australia. The committee, which also heard from anti-smoking campaigners, health groups, and the Australian Border Force, did not list Philip Morris or any private session in its published program. Labor, the Greens, and the Australian Council on Smoking and Health raised concerns about the in-camera evidence.
Labor senator Jana Stewart and Greens senator Jordon Steele-John objected to the private hearing. Steele-John confirmed the session took place and promised to release a transcript, stating during a public session: “We have just taken evidence in camera from Philip Morris. I shared with them during our exchanges my opposition to their presence in this inquiry as witnesses.”
Health Minister Warns of WHO Obligations
Health minister Mark Butler wrote to Blyth on Friday, reminding the committee of Australia’s obligations under the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which requires protecting health policy from tobacco industry interference. Health Department guidance states public officials should only interact with tobacco executives when strictly necessary and transparently. Butler advised against inviting representatives that undermine this obligation.
Laura Hunter, chief executive of the Australian Council on Smoking and Health, said she was concerned about individuals with tobacco industry links participating in the inquiry. “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,” she said. Hunter added that their presence compromises decision-making, not strengthens it.
Historical Context and Criticism
Cancer Council Australia chief executive Jacinta Reddan noted it had been 16 years since big tobacco had a platform in federal parliament. She cited Article 5.3 of the WHO framework, which aims to prevent interference from cigarette and e-cigarette manufacturers. “We’re very concerned that they were given that opportunity behind closed doors, away from the scrutiny of the Australian public,” Reddan said.
Assistant minister for customs Julian Hill called on Coalition senators to explain the secret hearing. “Australians should be shocked and outraged that today the committee chose to get secret evidence from big tobacco,” he said. “They’re quick to give comment when it suits them, and yet they want to skulk in in secret to a parliamentary inquiry when not.”
Lung Foundation chief executive Mark Brooke told the hearing tobacco companies have used obfuscation for at least 50 years, citing their denial of lung cancer in the 1960s and 1970s. “It’s fair to say big tobacco says things like ‘we want to un-smoke the world’ but then challenges every meaningful attempt by governments to cease production or sales of their products,” he said.
Guardian Australia has contacted Philip Morris and Senator Blyth for comment.
