Mark Butler has expressed his concerns regarding the decision to allow Philip Morris to provide private testimony during a parliamentary inquiry focused on illegal tobacco. Reports indicate that this decision was made due to safety considerations for the representatives of Philip Morris, yet it has sparked frustration among health advocates who publicly shared their testimonies.
This parliamentary inquiry, led by Liberal Senator Leah Blyth, is expected to publish its findings on the illegal tobacco market by mid-year. Both the federal health minister and health organizations have voiced apprehensions about the secretive nature of the cigarette company’s appearance at the inquiry.
The inquiry, which paused unexpectedly yesterday afternoon, resumed after 15 minutes. Upon resumption, Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John revealed that representatives from Philip Morris had provided evidence in a private setting, despite the company not being listed among the scheduled witnesses.
Health Minister Mark Butler stated he is seeking further clarification regarding the situation. He emphasized that if industry representatives are discussing how public policies might affect their profits, they should be held accountable for their statements.
Sources inform the ABC that the names of the Philip Morris witnesses were withheld due to safety issues. The illegal tobacco trade poses a significant challenge for both federal and state authorities, as well as law enforcement, leading to violent conflicts among criminal organizations, including incidents of arson and armed robberies.
According to estimates, organized crime syndicates profited between $4.1 billion and $6.9 billion from the illegal tobacco market in the fiscal year 2024-25. A report from the Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner indicates that around half of all tobacco products sold in Australia are illegal.
The inquiry is exploring potential measures to combat the illegal tobacco crisis. During the proceedings, transcripts of the private testimony will eventually be made public, but Senator Blyth indicated that the identities of Philip Morris witnesses would remain confidential until then.
Mark Brooke, CEO of Lung Foundation Australia, raised issues of fairness following his own testimony, questioning the reason behind the differing treatment of Philip Morris representatives. He expressed dismay at the lack of transparency, noting that public health advocates openly confront organized crime while tobacco executives can remain anonymous.
Outside the inquiry, Brooke voiced his outrage, stating, “Sixty-six Australians die every day from tobacco. They and their families deserve significantly better than to have faceless executives … be invited by this inquiry … to give evidence in secret. It is completely against the principles of good governance and transparency.”
Laura Hunter, CEO of the Australian Council on Smoking & Health, condemned the secretive hearing, asserting that the tobacco industry, which profits from addiction and illness, should not receive special treatment in such settings. Jacinta Reddan, CEO of Cancer Council Australia, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of accountability in parliamentary inquiries and expressing concern over the unprecedented private hearing for a major tobacco company.
Philip Morris has previously received similar accommodations in inquiries in New South Wales and Victoria, with safety concerns cited as the reason for the privacy requests. During a past inquiry in New South Wales, representatives from Philip Morris discussed the necessity of returning “nicotine markets back into the hands of regulators, not criminals” and criticized high tobacco excise taxes.
Health Minister Butler has reminded parliamentarians of their obligations regarding interactions with the tobacco industry, referencing international conventions on tobacco control that discourage engagement with tobacco company officials. He acknowledged that he is seeking further details about the recent developments.
The Department of Health advises that interactions with the tobacco industry should be limited to what is necessary for public officials to implement effective tobacco control measures. Philip Morris has been contacted for a response.
