When it comes to e-cigarettes, the important message is that they’re not a safe alternative to regular cigarettes. E-cigarettes or vaping, act as nicotine induction items. The nicotine in the vapour is just as addictive as nicotine in a burn product or traditional cigarettes. In light of this, both the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Therapeutic Goods Authority has not registered these as safe.

The Australian Government has real concern that the trendy nature of vaping could attract younger users who have not previously smoked traditional cigarettes. The experience in the US tells us that this is a real danger and one the Government is keen to avoid.

While I certainly understand the argument that vaping will allow for harm minimisation in existing users, in reality we have very low smoking rates that have been the result of consistent long term anti-smoking policies on many levels and the Government doesn’t want to have a reversal of that effective reduction campaign by introducing another way of getting people addicted to nicotine.

There has been a lot said in recent months about Australia’s foreign aid Programme. I value Australia’s aid programme and am proud of the results we have been able to achieve, but also acknowledge the need to be results focused.

It’s not always easy to show the impact of Australian aid, mostly because much of its affects are not directly visible to Australians. The reason Australia contributes to overseas development assistance (ODA) or foreign aid is because it’s critical for our nation’s security, stability and prosperity. Being surrounded by stable countries with strong economies is absolutely essential for Australia’s peace and economic growth.

We spend 90% of our foreign aid in the Indo-Pacific region, supporting our diplomatic, trade and defence efforts and make a conscience effort to focus our aid in the region closest to us.

The Turnbull Government will always remain committed to our neighbours and our region but we also rightly have a focus on performance, results and above all on value-for-money. This means making sure that Australian tax dollars are being put to use that enables our interests, as well as those receiving aid, to be advanced.

Our foreign aid is working to help improve the livelihoods of our neighbours. It is effective and a true validation and testament of our commitment to our region. Our history has shown us as we’ve worked together in the past to defend our region so too we will now, working together, be able to face the many challenges that will allow Australia to continue to grow in safety and prosperity.

More information on Australian foreign aid programmes can be found at the department for Foreign Affairs and Trade website: http://dfat.gov.au/aid/Pages/australias-aid-program.aspx

The Coalition Government understands that the application of the GST to feminine hygiene products is an important issue to many people. Under the intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations and Commonwealth legislation, a change to the rate or base of the GST would need to be supported by all of the States and Territories. It would also require the passage of relevant legislation to be passed by both Houses of the Commonwealth Parliament.

At the Council on Federal Financial Relations Tax Reform Workshop on 21 August 2015, the States and Territories considered a proposal from the Commonwealth to remove the GST from feminine hygiene products. As there was no unanimous agreement at the time, no change to the existing GST arrangements for feminine hygiene products will be progressed.

Not one State or Territory has raised this issue with the Treasurer or indicated a change to their jurisdictions’ earlier view, including at the most recent meeting of Sate and Territory Treasurers in Melbourne several weeks ago.

The Coalition Government has been taking action to successfully address the problem of a narrowing GST base for the States and Territories through increased integrity measures and expansion into digital services and low value goods that will yield an additional $1.9 billion dollars next year. This means more funds for hospitals, schools and police. We are also working with the Sates to make the GST distribution system fairer, more resilient and more sustainable.

The removal of items from the GST base is ultimately a matter for the States and Territories, who have not supported any change to the treatment of feminine hygiene products, including when being given the opportunity to do so.