May 17th 2011
Health Minister Nicola Roxon says Labor stopped taking donations from tobacco companies in 2004 - since then the Opposition has accepted $1.7 million.June 14th 2011
"Mr Abbott needs to kick his habit," Ms Roxon said in a statement.
"As a former health minister, Mr Abbott knows that tobacco kills 15,000 Australians each year - a tragic number that brings suffering to families all over Australia.
"Accepting donations from big tobacco is just not acceptable, given we know how dangerous these products are and to what low levels these companies will stoop to keep killing Australians."
Roxon admits seeking funds from big tobaccoHypocrite, much?
The ABC has obtained letters that show Nicola Roxon wrote to Philip Morris executives in 2005, inviting them to a $1,500-a-table fundraiser.
The event, featuring new MP Peter Garrett as the star attraction, was held a year after Mark Latham banned tobacco donations to the Labor Party.
Ms Roxon, who was then shadow attorney-general, signed off on the letters, saying she looked forward to the company's "continuing support".
