[Greens-Media] Vote 1 Big Tobacco: NSW Liberal Party puts public health last

[John Kaye]

Vote 1 Big Tobacco: NSW Liberal Party puts public health last

Media release: 14 February 2014

The Liberal Party's  choice of a senior tobacco executive for a by-election
in Woollahra Council and the NSW Sports Minister's ringing endorsement of
him as a candidate raise new concerns about the O'Farrell government's
commitment to eradicating cigarette smoking, according to Greens NSW MP
John Kaye.

('Liberals select tobacco man for byelection',Sydney Morning Herald, 14
Feb, p.12, also on-line at http://j.mp/smh140214)

James Keulemans, the current Head of Regulatory Affairs at British American
Tobacco, has been endorsed by the NSW Liberal Party for the Double Bay
by-election to be held on Saturday 15th March.

O'Farrell government cabinet member and Sports Minister Gabrielle Upton who
is the local MP provided a ringing endorsement of Mr Keulemans, printed on
official letterhead.

Mr Keulemans' CV is here:
http://au.linkedin.com/pub/james-keulemans/18/642/398

His public affairs credentials are here:
http://www.statecraft.com.au/?q=public-affairs-senior-team

A copy of Ms Upton's letter of support for James Keulemans is available on
request.

Dr Kaye said "Tobacco is responsible for the death of 50 per cent of the
people who use it. Mr Keulemans is part of an industry that kills 5,000
people each year in NSW.

"This is no ordinary industry. It profits from addiction to a dangerous
drug.

"There is an inherent contradiction between the public health imperative of
eradicating tobacco use and the voice that Mr Keulemans will bring to the
Liberal party.

"Mr O'Farrell should ensure that Mr Keulemans is dis-endorsed or face the
perception that there has been no change from the bad old days when big
tobacco and its donations called the shots in his party.

"By allowing a senior executive from a cigarette company to occupy the
privileged position in their party, the Liberals have shown a callous
disregard for the public health consequence of cigarette smoking.

"Sports Minister Gabrielle Upton has shown she has no understanding of the
role the tobacco industry has played in frustrating health outcomes in NSW.

"The Minister for Sport has a particular obligation to ensure that the
tobacco industry is a long way away from influencing government. Gabrielle
Upton has compromised her position by endorsing this man.

"If the O'Farrell government really cared about public health it would be
seeking to limit the influence of the tobacco industry, not endorsing a
senior tobacco executive for a position on a council.

"The NSW Liberals were the last party in this state to accept donations
from the tobacco industry before they were banned by the Greens and Labor
in 2010.

"It appears not much has changed in a party that was happy to accept money
from an industry whose profits were based on spreading addiction to a toxic
substance," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

-- 
----------------------------------------
John Kaye
Greens NSW MP
phone: 0407 195 455
web: www.john.nsw.greens.org.au
----------------------------------------