Thursday, 28 August 2025
Questions without notice and ministers statements
Tobacco control
Please do not quote
Proof only
Tobacco control
David SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) (14:09): My question is to the Minister for Consumer Affairs. Since March 2023 there have been well over 140 firebombings of Victorian tobacco shops. Just last night another tobacco store, on Watton Street in Werribee, was rammed by a four-wheel drive before being firebombed. After years of inaction and hundreds of firebombings, why does Victoria continue to have not one compliance officer?
Nick STAIKOS (Bentleigh – Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Local Government) (14:10): I thank the member for Caulfield for his question. I am not the minister responsible for the matters that the member for Caulfield has raised. Minister Erdogan in the other place is responsible for those matters. We set up the tobacco regulator. That question is best directed to Minister Erdogan.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Finance will come to order. The minister for public transport will come to order. The member for Sunbury can leave the chamber for half an hour.
Member for Sunbury withdrew from chamber.
David SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) (14:10): As the minister responsible for this in this place, it has been 289 days since the Premier announced laws –
Members interjecting.
David SOUTHWICK: Are any of you responsible for anything really?
The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Women can leave the chamber for half an hour.
Minister for Women withdrew from chamber.
David SOUTHWICK: It has been 289 days since the Premier announced laws to crack down on illicit tobacco stores. It is another 157 days before just 14 inspectors are due to hit the beat. New South Wales has 48 compliance officers right now. How many more firebombings will occur before this government actually does something?
Nick STAIKOS (Bentleigh – Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Local Government) (14:12): I appreciate the member for Caulfield is trying to quickly recover from some very sloppy homework –
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: The member for Brighton can leave the chamber for half an hour.
Member for Brighton withdrew from chamber.
Nick STAIKOS: but I can assure the house that neither Consumer Affairs Victoria nor the Department of Government Services is responsible for tobacco regulation.