Wednesday, 7 February 2024

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (17:36): (678) My question is for the Minister for Police following a major fire in a tobacco shop in Bendigo last week. The action I seek is that the minister introduce legislation to effectively regulate and eliminate illicit tobacco and provide increased resources for Victoria Police to assist in addressing tobacco-related crime in Victoria. This fire came on the back of a series of highly suspicious fires across Melbourne. The Bendigo incident sparked fears that crime and violence related to tobacco have now reached central Victoria. I understand that a man has been charged over the fire and there is a formal legal process to be gone through. However, regardless of the background, the attack was very dangerous and distressing for the community. It is estimated that the Bendigo fire caused up to $4 million in damage. Surrounding businesses have been badly affected. Nearby landlords and business operators have been left to pick up the pieces. Some will struggle to get back on their feet even though they are the innocent victims in all of this.

Victoria is lagging behind the other states when it comes to regulating the sale of tobacco. Currently traders do not require a licence to operate and sell tobacco in Victoria, unlike alcohol, where a liquor licence is mandatory. This loophole is seeing criminal activity soar. In Bendigo more generally crime has increased by nearly 10 per cent in the last year. There are currently more than 800 vacancies in Victoria Police and 43 stations have reduced their opening hours, while these attacks continue. The action I seek is for the minister to commit to increasing police resources to help address these ongoing and increasingly distressing criminal issues in Victoria.

The PRESIDENT: That last action is fine, Mrs Broad. I was wondering: at the start, did you ask for the introduction of legislation?

Gaelle Broad: Yes.

The PRESIDENT: Yes, so we will just do the last action.