Mr Danby asked the Minister for Health and Ageing, upon notice, on 1 December 2003:

(1)  Will he provide a copy of the report by the National Institute of Economic and Industry Research which he considered when deciding that the Australian Grand Prix was an event of international significance; if not, why not.

(2)  In respect of granting exemptions from tobacco advertising restrictions for major events, can he confirm that he stated 'Economic hardship is not a factor... the Minister must be satisfied that the event is of international significance, and that a failure to specify the event would be likely to result in the event not being held in Australia.”

(3)  Can he clarify whether he does not have to or must not consider whether having an event in Australia is good for the economy and can he explain why this anomaly was included in the regulatory framework.

(4)  Can he confirm that he is granting yet another exemption from tobacco advertising restrictions for the next Australian Grand Prix.

(5)  Does he and the Government still have a commitment, as expressed by the former Minister for Health, that tobacco advertising exemptions will be phased out by 2006.

Mr Abbott —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1)  A copy of the report by the National Institute of Economic and Industry Research was not included in the Australian Grand Prix Corporation's application for an exemption for the 2004 Australian Grand Prix. The Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act 1992 (the Act) does not require it to be provided.

(2)  Yes, I can confirm this statement which quotes section 18 of the Act.

(3)  In order to grant an exemption under section 18 of the Act, the Minister must be satisfied that the event is of international significance and that Australia would be likely to lose the event if an exemption were not granted. When determining these matters, the Minister must also have regard to the Guidelines made under section 18, which do not refer to economic matters.

(4)  I can confirm that the 2004 Australian Grand Prix has been granted an exemption under section 18 of the Act. A notice specifying the event under subsection 18(2) was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Special Gazette of 1 August 2003.

(5)  The Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Amendment Act 2000 removes the discretion of the Minister for Health and Ageing to grant an exemption under section 18 of the Act from 1 October 2006.