Afternoon Update: Coalition tobacco plan lambasted, Queensland coal project approved by new EPA, and EVs v holidays

Public health experts have raised alarm over the Coalition’s plan to cut tobacco excise by 80% in an attempt to curb the illicit cigarette trade. Photograph: Liudmila Chernetska/Getty Images

Good afternoon.

Leading public health experts, the Australian Medical Association and Labor have rejected Angus Taylor’s plan to cut tobacco excise by 80%, labelling the move to curb soaring illegal cigarette sales as a backward step on tobacco control.