British American Tobacco publicly donated $55,000 to the Nationals last year, as the federal government prepared to implement vaping reforms.

A disclosure return form published by the Australian Electoral Commission shows that the donation was made in the 2022-23 financial year and was received by Laneway Assets, who collect membership fees for the Nationals.

The donation came as the Albanese government announced the introduction of significant tobacco and vaping control measures in May 2023, with a ban on the importation of single use vapes in Australia coming into effect as of 1 January 2024.

British American Tobacco last donated to the Nationals in 2011, when the federal government at the time planned to introduce a change to tobacco packaging to reduce product appeal.

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