Tobacco firm Korber 'flew Rudd first class'

[nero_bolt]

THE Opposition is demanding Prime Minister Kevin Rudd explain why he travelled first class to Europe courtesy of a major tobacco firm.

The government has announced it will raise the tax on cigarettes by 12.5 per cent every year for the next four years, raising $5.3 billion in revenue.

Smokers' coffers- Tax to earn $5.3b

Labor has also used the opportunity to blast the Coalition for "being in the pockets of big tobacco" by accepting donations from cigarette companies.

But the Coalition is trying to shift the focus to Labor, alleging the prime minister accepted a first-class trip to Germany, funded by a tobacco company, last year.

Smoking is the shock new political battleground

Senior Liberal Greg Hunt said the Korber Foundation was responsible for manufacturing cigarettes, and questioned why Mr Rudd travelled to Berlin as a backbencher courtesy of the major firm.

"Here is Mr Rudd preening around, as usual, pretending to have some moral position," Mr Hunt told Sky News.

"He personally took two first-class flights to Berlin, stayed in a swank luxurious hotel, courtesy of belly of the beast, the heart of the tobacco industry."

He demanded the Prime Minister explain his justifications for the trip, and whether he thought it was acceptable.

Way cleared for election date call

Mr Rudd declared the trip in his register of interest, listing "flights and hospitality" to Berlin, funded by the Korber Foundation.

The trip, taken in October, included two nights accommodation and a return airfare to Australia.

Korber's founding company is Hauni, a leading supplier to the global tobacco industry that processes and manufactures cigarettes and filters.

[the_great_she_elephant]

 I have simply quoted a story.

Which is exactly how disinformation gets spread. What on earth made you assume that "Andrew Bolt or whoever" would be a reliable source?

[lakeland27]

that's the whole point, the stories almost always contain factual inaccuracies . yet you parade them here as credible. larry and akerman are no different . perhaps more colourful.. but full of it just like andrew.

[i-need-a-martini]

Not quite in the same league as Morrison though is it nero?

Did Rudd declare it? Yes.

Was there any conflict of interest at the time? No.

Was Rudd stupid enough to take that trip whilst announcing policies favourable to gift giver? No.

Did Rudd try to hide that trip in any way? No.

The Liberals are getting desperate. 

[12elliemellie]

Thats what I like about you monman12 you are very professional in what you do and well researched

You could give that a go too nero instead of just blindly quoting Akerman, Bolt, Pickering etc.