Philip Morris Testifies in Secret Session, Sparking Outrage in Australian Parliament

A Senate committee investigating the illegal tobacco trade has come under fire after allowing Philip Morris representatives to give evidence behind closed doors, drawing objections from committee members and health officials.

Committee Proceedings

The Senate committee, chaired by South Australian Liberal Senator Leah Blyth, convened in Canberra on Monday. The published agenda included testimony from anti-smoking campaigners, health groups, and the Australian Border Force—but did not list Philip Morris as a witness or schedule a private session.

According to multiple sources, the committee entered a private (in camera) session for approximately 15 minutes during the afternoon. After the public broadcast resumed, Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John stated that Philip Morris representatives had just given evidence in private.

The names of the Philip Morris representatives were redacted from transcripts due to safety concerns, according to multiple sources.

Senator Steele-John confirmed the private hearing and stated he would release a transcript. Labor Senator Jana Stewart and Senator Steele-John objected to the in-camera evidence.

Concerns from Health Officials and Groups

Health Minister Mark Butler wrote to Senator Blyth on Friday prior to the hearing, reminding the committee of Australia’s obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The convention requires protecting health policy from tobacco industry interference. Health Department guidance states that public officials should interact with tobacco industry representatives only when strictly necessary and transparently.

Following the hearing, Health Minister Butler stated he was seeking more information, saying:

"If industry is giving evidence about ways in which public decisions will impact their profits, they should be answerable for that evidence."

Laura Hunter, CEO of the Australian Council on Smoking and Health, expressed concern that individuals or organizations with links to the tobacco industry were invited to participate. She described the closed session as "not acceptable."

Mark Brooke, CEO of the Lung Foundation Australia, testified in a public session following the closed hearing. He questioned why tobacco industry representatives were allowed to remain anonymous while he gave evidence publicly. Senator Blyth responded: "Sorry, this is not a debating point."

Jacinta Reddan, CEO of Cancer Council Australia, stated it had been 16 years since a major tobacco company had a platform in federal parliament. She expressed concern about the closed-door session and said the lack of transparency demonstrates that the tobacco industry has not changed.

Assistant Minister for Customs Julian Hill called on Coalition senators to explain the closed hearing.

Background

Similar private hearings occurred in New South Wales in February 2025 and in Victoria in 2024, where Philip Morris witnesses testified behind closed doors, citing safety concerns. In the NSW inquiry, unnamed Philip Morris witnesses discussed high tobacco excise rates and advocated for "excise correction" to reduce consumer migration to the illicit market.

According to the Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner, more than half of tobacco products sold in Australia are illegal. Organized crime groups earned between $4.1 billion and $6.9 billion from the illicit tobacco trade in 2024-25.

Philip Morris was contacted for comment but has not yet responded.