Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Last year when speaking about Labor's responsible plan on tobacco excise, the health minister said:

…this is a grab for money, it's a political statement and I don't like it.

Does the Prime Minister agree with his Minister for Health: is raising tobacco excise to levels recommended by the World Health Organization a political statement or a grab for money?

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is clearly a revenue raising measure and so I suppose in that sense it will generate revenue for the government. But the arguments around tobacco taxes are very well understood.

Ms King interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Ballarat is warned.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I understand the honourable member's interest in discerning what the contents of the budget are, but I would remind the honourable member that governments of both political persuasions at different times have increased tobacco taxes. As Leader of the Opposition, I proposed it myself in 2009. I would say it is not an original idea. The honourable member—while I welcome her interest in the contents of the budget—will just have to wait until it is delivered.

Ms MacTiernan interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Perth will cease interjecting.