Plain packaging

fight costs taxspayers $12 million 

The cost of fighting tobacco giant Phillip Morris's challenge to Australia's plain packaging laws in an international tribunal has been revealed as more than $23 million. And despite winning the six-year battle against big tobacco, court documents revealed under Freedom of Information laws show taxpayers were left to foot legal bills worth $12 million, after a the cigarette manufacturer was ordered to pay about half of the Commonwealth's legal fees.