Tobacco plain packaging
Quote from the High Court:
At least a majority of the Court is of the opinion that the Act is not contrary to s 51(xxxi).
Reasons (which may explain that rather cryptic quantity) to follow later.
So, by 1 December 2012, all retail cigarette packs in Australia will look something like this. – the colour is officially described as Pantone 448C.
Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011
Tobacco Plain Packaging Regulations 2011
Tobacco Plain Packaging Amendment Regulations 2012 – extending regime to cigars and tobacco pouches.
On the global front, Ukraine, Honduras and Dominican Republic have brought complaints against Australia before the WTO dispute resolution process and, so far, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, the European Union, Guatemala, Indonesia, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Uruguay and Zimbabwe have joined in the consultations.
So far as I can work out, the arbitration between Philip Morris and Australia under the 1993 Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Hong Kong for the Promotion and Protection of Investments has reached the stage where the panel of 3 arbitrators has been established.
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