24th Aug 2011 – Representatives Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011 - Consideration in Detail - Limit application

The majority voted against an amendment introduced by Liberal MP Andrew Southcott. This means that the amendment was rejected.

The amendment limited the application of the bill so that "Sections 19 to 21 do not apply in relation to one of the 2 smallest outer surfaces of a cigarette carton to the extent that a trade mark covers the surface."(See the text of sections 19 to 21 as they were at first reading here. ) Dr Southcott explains "The purpose of this amendment is to help small retailers".(Read Dr Southcott's full explanation here. )

One member of parliament, Nationals MP Tony Crook, rebelled and crossed the floor to vote 'aye' with the Government.(Read more about what it means to rebel in our FAQ Section. )

Background to the bill

The bill was introduced with the Trade Marks Amendment (Tobacco Plain Packaging) Bill 2011 to "[prevent] tobacco advertising and promotion of tobacco products and tobacco product packaging by making it an offence to sell, supply, purchase, package or manufacture tobacco products or packaging for retail sale that are not compliant with plain packaging requirements."(Read more about the bill, including its explanatory memorandum and bills digest, here. ) If these two bills succeed, Australia will be the first country in the world to introduce plain packaging.(Read more about plain packaging here, and more about the government's reasons for introducing the bills here.)

References