Payman asks why a social justice party would side with the government.
Western Australia's only independent Senator, Fatima Payman, is calling out The New Greens for siding with the government to block a crucial inquiry into the illegal tobacco trade and its economic and social harms.
Today, the Senator moved a motion to refer important questions about the black-market tobacco industry to Parliament's Joint Committee on Law Enforcement.
Answers to these questions would have shed light on the billions lost to the economy, the impacts on public health, and the growing role of organised crime.
But instead of supporting transparency and accountability, The New Greens joined with the government to block the referral.
"This is not the Greens we have come to know," Senator Payman said.
"For years they've claimed to stand against corporate greed and organised crime, but now, curiously, they are in lockstep with the government."
"They've chosen to shut down scrutiny of an industry that harms our communities and robs the public purse.
The senator said the decision was deeply disappointing, and that it raised serious questions about The New Greens' priorities in Parliament.
"Illegal tobacco fuels criminal networks and deprives Australians of vital funding for health and education, never mind the fact that less expensive cigarettes and tobacco products will be killing people," Senator Payman said.
"An inquiry would have given us the chance to map the scale of the problem and propose real solutions.
"By blocking it, The New Greens have put politics ahead of people's well being.
"And it seems to be part of an emerging political pattern," she said.
The Senator vowed to continue pressing for greater transparency on the illegal tobacco trade and the broader influence of organised crime in WA.
Senator Payman is
