Zali Steggall (Warringah, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

L () (): I thank the minister for her comments and response in relation to the proposed amendments, but I note that the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is silent on sources of donations and where there should be prohibited sources of donations, in particular from sectors that do substantial harm to the health of the Australian people. I note, in that respect, that despite the government's commitments, and while I support the recommendations made by the joint standing committee, they do not address the question of why there should be an exception for political donations or gifts in relation to vaping companies. These are substantially powerful lobby groups—in particular, where the only area for vaping companies left will be with prescriptions, so then we get into the pharmaceutical area.

But we know these products are incredibly pervasive and damaging to the health of Australians—in particular, the health of our young Australians. As such, a tough position from the Albanese government should be to start closing these loopholes. In particular, with a new product on the market such as vapes, it is simply, I would argue, unconscionable to maintain an exception for political donations, which ultimately serve the interests of people in this place, at the expense of the health and wellbeing of Australians. And, as such, it is now the time to close those loopholes. So, while we are considering legislation that now starts to address the scourge of vaping, why would the government have a position that is so contrary to community expectations to go hard on these products and ensure they don't have influence over government decisions when it comes to imposing sanctions? So getting rid of this exception of political donations and electoral expenditure is incredibly important.

We know when it comes to tobacco that the National Party continues to accept donations from big tobacco companies, and clearly this is completely at odds with the health and wellbeing of Australians in their communities. The impacts of tobacco and nicotine on our health are well documented and come at great expense to the overall health and wellbeing of our nation. As such, it is time to close those loopholes, and I urge the government to agree to this amendment and delete clause 67, which provides an exception to political donations and electoral expenditure for vaping.

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