Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian government takes Australia's obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the FCTC, very seriously. As a party to the WHO FCTC, Australia is obliged to protect its public health policies with respect to tobacco control from commercial and other vested interests in the tobacco industry. I refer to article 5.3 of FCTC.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has published guidance for public officials on interacting with the tobacco industry to assist public officials in understanding their obligations under article 5.3. The guide outlines the obligations placed on public agencies and officials by the WHO FCTC and provides a best practice framework for the implementation of Australia's commitment under article 5.3 to protect public health policy from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco and e-cigarette industry. The guide is intended to apply to any official, representative or employee of a Commonwealth government agency, body or entity, or anyone acting on behalf of any branch or level of government. It also includes members of parliament and their staff, limiting interactions between government officials and the tobacco and vaping industries. It ensures transparency of significant interactions that do occur as one of a number of considerations giving effect to these obligations.

The guide also notes that partnerships with the tobacco industry are inappropriate, including accepting offers from the tobacco industry or agents of the tobacco industry to assist with the development of tobacco control legislation or policy or to participate in industry sponsored tobacco control measures. Every member is aware of this, and every member has been written to.