Coalition accused of secretly giving big tobacco lobbyists private platform in parliament

The Senate committee, chaired by Liberal senator Leah Blyth, has been accused of undermining 15 years of precedent by allowing a tobacco company to give evidence in a closed session in Canberra. Photograph: Leah Blyth - Liberal Senate Candidate Facebook Page

Anti-smoking campaigners have accused the Coalition of secretly giving tobacco giants access to a parliamentary inquiry, a move they say undermines more than 15 years of precedent to protect public health.

On Monday, representatives from tobacco company Philip Morris appeared before a Senate committee considering the illegal tobacco trade in Australia.