Parliament can say no to Big Tobacco donations - Brown

Greens Leader Bob Brown today introduced the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Tobacco Industry Donations) Bill 2011 in the Senate to seek an end to Big Tobacco buying influence in Parliament.

"The Greens don't accept donations from Big Tobacco and we commend the ALP for ending its acceptance of money from those peddling these deadly products. If a change of law is required to have the Coalition end donations from Big Tobacco, then that is what this Parliament should do," Senator Brown said.

"Donations by tobacco companies are particularly insidious. These companies' products kill half of the people who buy them," Senator Brown said.

The proposed bill amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) and contains provisions to make unlawful the receipt of a gift from manufacturers or wholesalers of tobacco products by political parties; and introduces new offences related to this measure.