Tuesday, 5 March 2024

Illicit tobacco

David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:32): (442) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Police. The last year has seen a dramatic escalation in the battle for criminal control of illicit tobacco and vaping markets. With potentially a $2 billion market up for grabs, there is no shortage of cash to incentivise, bribe and otherwise fund the violence and arson. Recent reporting suggests that teenagers are being recruited to steal the cars used for arson attacks via home invasions or are even committing the arson attacks themselves. With people living above or adjacent to some of these stores, it is just dumb luck that innocent bystanders have not yet been killed. There is some confusion about exactly how many stores have been targeted or how many arson attacks have occurred on them. Some clarity here would be helpful. My question to the minister is: how many instances of arson have occurred at tobacco or vape stores in the past 18 months?

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:33): I thank Mr Limbrick for his question and his interest in this matter. I know our government is committed to keeping Victorians safe, and I know the police minister’s focus, together with Victoria Police, has been on these issues. I will direct those questions to the Minister for Police in the other place, and he will respond in line with the standing orders.

David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:34): I thank the minister for passing that on. It is not just tobacco and vape stores, though. This has spread out to restaurants, reception centres and other venues. So brazen has this become that after some teenagers allegedly failed to burn down a restaurant in Mill Park a few days ago, an armed crew were later sent in to ensure the arson attack was successful. Despite some arrests, it appears there is no shortage of people willing to engage in this behaviour. There is a lot of money at stake, so it is hard to imagine that policing will be effective at stopping the trade. All indications are that state and federal Labor governments are doubling down on their current approach, so the least we can do is accurately track the subsequent crime wave. Minister, how many other properties have been targeted with arson that police suspect are connected to the gang war over illicit tobacco and vapes?

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:34): I thank Mr Limbrick for raising this issue of significant public importance. I will make sure that it is passed on to the police minister in the other place and that he responds in line with the standing orders.