Philip Morris walked into a big tobacco secret Senate hearing in Australia this week, and almost nobody knew it was happening. Anti-smoking campaigners say the move breaks more than 15 years of public health precedent. They also argue it directly undermines international obligations to protect health policy from industry interference.

The committee, chaired by South Australian Liberal senator Leah Blyth, heard openly from health organisations, anti-smoking advocates, and Australian Border Force. But Philip Morris did not appear on the published programme. The committee gave no advance notice that tobacco industry closed-door parliamentary evidence would form part of the day’s proceedings.

Big Tobacco Secret Senate Hearing Draws Swift Objections

Labor senator Jana Stewart and Greens senator Jordon Steele-John both formally objected to the private session. Steele-John later confirmed in open proceedings that the closed hearing had gone ahead. He stated: “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.” He also committed to releasing a transcript.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler had written to Blyth ahead of Monday’s hearing. He reminded the committee of Australia’s obligations under the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, a treaty the Howard government first signed in 2004. That convention shields public health policy from commercial interference by cigarette and e-cigarette manufacturers.

Health Department guidance tells Australian public officials, including MPs, to engage with tobacco industry lobbyists only “when and to the extent strictly necessary.” It also stresses that any such engagement must happen transparently. Butler pressed MPs from all parties to honour that standard.

“We think, particularly if industry is giving evidence about ways in which public decisions will impact their profits, that they should be answerable for that evidence,” Butler said.

What Philip Morris Said in the Tobacco Industry Closed-Door Parliamentary Evidence

Guardian Australia revealed the tobacco industry closed-door parliamentary evidence included stark warnings. Philip Morris told the committee that surging illegal cigarette sales could wipe out the legal tobacco market in Australia by 2030. Executives pushed for lower federal tobacco excise, arguing it would undercut illegal market operators. Public health experts rejected that position outright.

The federal government’s illicit tobacco and e-cigarette commissioner put the scale of the problem in sharp relief. Illegal tobacco now takes between 50 and 60 per cent of the Australian market. Those sales are worth as much as $6.9 billion each year. Philip Morris also warned that some multinational manufacturers may exit Australia entirely, citing declining legal sales.

Philip Morris employees gave similar tobacco industry closed-door parliamentary evidence to a New South Wales inquiry in February. Three unnamed company witnesses answered questions before a committee that Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Borsak chaired.

“Invited the Enemy Into the War Room”

Public health organisations reacted quickly and without restraint.

Cancer Council Australia chief executive Jacinta Reddan pointed out that big tobacco had not held a platform in federal parliament for 16 years. “We are very concerned that they were given that opportunity behind closed doors, away from the scrutiny of the Australian public,” she said.

The Heart Foundation’s chief medical adviser, Professor Garry Jennings, was direct. “The committee has invited the enemy into the war room,” he said. “Big tobacco will simply argue for a reduction in excise so it can sell more cigarettes legally. It has no interest in public health or safety.”

Australian Council on Smoking and Health chief executive Laura Hunter described the tobacco industry as “not a neutral stakeholder.” Its profits depend on continued cigarette sales. Its commercial interests tie directly to the outcomes of this very inquiry. “The presence of individuals from big tobacco companies does not strengthen decision-making,” she said. “It compromises it.”

Lung Foundation Australia chief executive Mark Brooke called for transparency to be “non-negotiable.” He reminded the committee that the industry has a long record of obfuscation, pointing to tobacco executives who denied any link between smoking and lung cancer before the US Senate in the 1960s and 70s.

Big Tobacco Secret Senate Hearing Prompts Demands for Accountability

Federal customs minister Julian Hill demanded that Coalition senators explain why the big tobacco secret Senate hearing took place without public notice. “Australians should be shocked and outraged that today the committee chose to get secret evidence from big tobacco,” he said. “They are quick to give comment when it suits them, and yet they want to skulk in secret to a parliamentary inquiry when not.”

Hill raised further questions about whether big tobacco plays any role in the illegal market itself. Tobacco manufacturers refused to give the government’s illicit tobacco commissioner the commercial data and supply chain information he requested.

“Big tobacco has been caught out globally over decades for selling their surplus production into illegal markets on the side,” Hill said. “Australians deserve transparency and proof that big tobacco are not complicit in illicit tobacco in our country. Australia will not get into a bidding war with organised crime on the price of tobacco or surrender our health policy.”

Illegal tobacco already accounts for the majority of cigarettes sold in Australia. Health advocates say the answer lies in stronger enforcement and tougher penalties, not private meetings with the industry that profits from the problem.

Source: dbrecoveryresources