Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

Excise Tariff Proposal (No. 1) 2010

Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 2) 2010

The excise and customs tariff proposals that I have just tabled propose an increase to the excise and excise equivalent customs duty applying to tobacco and tobacco products. Excise Tariff Proposal (No. 1) 2010 and Customs Tariff Proposal (No.2) 2010 formally place before the parliament proposed increases of 25 per cent to the excise and excise equivalent customs duty on tobacco products. This equates to an increase in the rates of excise and customs duty applying to tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and snuff from 0.26220 to 0.32775 per stick not exceeding 0.8 grams per stick actual tobacco content in weight—I can see from the look on Mr Speaker’s face that this is, I know, a complex way to put it to the House but I understand the technical requirements for this proposal—and from $327.77 to $409.71 per kilogram of tobacco content for other tobacco, for example, loose tobacco, with effect on and from 30 April 20010. These changes were gazetted on 29 April 2010 in accordance with section 160B of the Excise Act 1901 and section 273EA of the Customs Act 1901 and are now being tabled in the House of Representatives.

The government is committed to reducing the rate of smoking in the Australian community and the revenue raised from this measure, along with existing revenues collected from tobacco, will be directly invested in better health and better hospitals through the new National Health and Hospitals Network Fund. A summary of the alterations contained in these proposals has been prepared and is being circulated.

Debate (on motion by Mr Andrews) adjourned.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In calling the Minister for Health and Ageing, I have made a check, and there is no snuff box in the drawers.

Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am pleased to hear that, Mr Speaker.