'BUT no way he will look at EVIDENCE that can NOT be over looked,Tony Abbott and his National Party PARTNERS ARE acting, BASED ON tobacco funding to their party's alone.'

Where did you get that Belly. It's self evident, I cant believe you would think it's even under question. I think you have pigeon holed me as a coalition supporter or some conservative. Wrong!

But *I'm* not funded by tobacco companies, and I still think it's a daft idea. Tokenism in the extreme. I don't think smokers are loyal to brands, they are loyal to that nicotine stuff that tells their body they need another hit.

Kids see smoking in MOVIES, with COOL PEOPLE, and like ANYTHING that they're not supposed to do that may be DANGEROUS. Girls like that it KEEPS WEIGHT OFF. The brands are neither here nor there, coming AFTER the fact.

There is a very real risk that all this plain packaging, Woolies Home Brand will make smoking cheaper, which can of course be tackled by upping the tax. Hmmmm. Bingo!

Just for the record.

A carbon tax in Australia will not save the planet because it is not at risk. It will keep spinning around the sun regardless of what us humans do. What is at risk is the livability of this fairly unique orb and the abundant though shrinking variety of life it supports including us humans.

The evidence flags a strong possibility that the generally benign climate conditions we have enjoyed as a species over the last ten thousand years, and which have contributed much to the advancement of civilization, may well be being impacted by our use of fossil fuels.

As one of the world's leading emitters there is, I would have thought, a moral imperative to take mitigating measures but if that doesn't push your buttons then the probability of our exports to Europe and other countries being slapped with excise taxes to compensate for our noncompliance is very real. Also the opportunities for the development of renewable technologies are finding far more fertile grounds in other countries. Innovation and manufacturing skills that were our hallmark are quickly giving way to our skill with glorified shovels.

The "She'll be right mate" attitude can be a blessing and a curse.

We can be a very blinkered lot sometimes.

I'm with you csteele.

With this moral imperative, I think we should instantly cut all exports of our resources to the rest of the world. It's not enough to stop burning coal, we shouldn't even be digging it out of the ground, ditto Uranium, and anything that contributes to greenhouse gasses. Slaughter all the cows too. Inhumanely of course, don't want to use any fossil fuels.

Hang on, my infant daughter farted yesterday, she thought it was funny but I will give her a whipping next time!

'The "She'll be right mate" attitude can be a blessing and a curse.'
It seems so too can the anal retentiveness.

Well OUG....Something has to taxed.....25 dollars a packet of poison sticks will do just fine. That way more will quit the habit, plus a big chuck for the Government:).......See! all are winners.

And you wont smell as bad.

LEA

Houlie ,just can not think how you linked my words to think you are payed by big tobacco.
Or that you are a conservative.
Abbott held a meeting with his party, he saw enough would cross the floor to vote with the government.
So he withdrew.
Tony would cuddle climate change to his breast,IF it got him votes.
He has no policy's, none that would work, he is not a Liberal.
Now we get a bit feisty, me no less than any one, in the long run that is life.
But we need to respect if not one another this forum.
It does not need bad publicity,it needs all views and more willing to post, threads in particular.
I want to offend no one, but OUG constantly tells posters, QL this time but me and others.
He alone has insight,and just maybe we who take other views are , well do I need to remind anyone about all views haveing value and people in glass houses.
Every one of us should watch question time, it is a child minding center but informative.
Abbott is openly lying and he is as likely to be leading in twelve months as I am.

Belly,

The only reason that you are spitting the dummy is that the decision by TA to support the legislation on packaging makes every thing you said false. TA never said he would not support it, just that he was concerned that it had no research, and possible severe consequences.

Considering that the coalition introduced more anti tobacco legislation than Labor, and that smoking levels dropped more during this time than any other, makes your claim of the Libs being in the pocket of big tobacco a complete lie.

The difference between this legislation and what the coalition introduced is that the previous changes were trialled and proven, and had legal advice that there would be no consequences, whilst the ALP legislation has the backing of a focus group, and a huge risk of the government paying tobacco billions for IP property.

Once again it is a good idea with the implementation preparation of the pink batts debacle. This is feel good legislation, easily passed because no one likes the tobacco industry.

If I were TA, I would let Labor pass this legislation, and wear the consequences.