Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

As I have noted previously, this government's policy is built on a strong evidence base. However, Labor seem to have no evidence base for their recent announcement to commit to increasing the tobacco excise. Labor claims their tax was modelled to factor in behaviour change, but Labor will not reduce its modelling. They will not tell us anything. Indeed, I note that it was Labor's Senator Bullock who also stated last week that those on lower incomes and likely Labor voters would not be able to afford this additional slug. It is a simplistic, regressive grab for revenue. Labor needs to understand that smokers alone cannot pay off Labor's deficit. It is more policy on the run from Labor. They should release their costings. They should say how much this is going to reduce smoking, and how much money it is going to raise.