Paul Rea, Coorabell
While Labor stopped taking donations from the tobacco industry in 2004 and the Liberals followed suit a decade later, the Nationals continue to accept donations from the tobacco industry.
Australian Electoral Commission data shows that since the 1998–99 financial year, tobacco giant Philip Morris has donated $613,608 to the Nationals. The company is also a top-tier member of the Nationals, paying a $55,000 membership fee last financial year, which entitled the company to a program of boardroom access and high level lobbying opportunities.
Ben Franklin MLC disavows any connection with this arrangement, saying he is a member of the Nationals’ state branch that does not receive tobacco company largesse. But where does this leave Kevin Hogan, Federal Member for Page?
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
