Illicit tobacco
Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:34): (1300) My question is to the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. Minister, last sitting week you excitedly announced to the house that the seizure of 3 million illicit cigarettes in the first month of your tobacco licensing scheme was ‘fantastic’. Industry estimates show organised criminals sell more illicit cigarettes than your 3 million in one single day in Victoria. Minister, is seizing one day’s supply in an entire month a success or a complete and utter failure?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:35): I thank Mrs McArthur for that question and her interest in our new tobacco licensing scheme, the first of its kind in this state’s history and a $46 million investment by our government in the last budget. We have already said that we will do more if needed, and that is why I was proud to announce new closure powers that will be rolled out in the second half of this year. But enforcement has begun. I think it is a successful start, and it is a start, understanding we have not had such a scheme before in this state’s history. I do want to re-emphasise that we know that illegal tobacco is not a victimless crime, and it is important to note that it fuels organised crime networks, undermines legitimate businesses and puts communities at risk. That is why we have prioritised this work. It had a strong start in the first year. Over 3 million cigarettes were taken off our streets in the first month alone, and they are obviously escalating that work as we continue. There will be new powers to hold landlords to account, and we will continue that work. We have always said that this is a national problem that requires a national approach, but in Victoria we are doing our bit.
Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:36): Thank you, Minister. Minister, 3 million cigarettes is just a drop in the ocean. This is not just lost revenue for your cash-strapped government, it is allowing organised crime, firebombings and violent robberies to flourish on Victorian streets. New South Wales has 78 tobacco enforcement officers, and Queensland has hired an extra 43. Why does your government think 14 inspectors, some of them recently locked in a cupboard, is a serious response to a criminal trade that is terrorising communities across Victoria?
A member: What?
Bev McARTHUR: You had to call the police to get them out of the locked cupboard.
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:36): I thank Mrs McArthur for that supplementary question, although I do not necessarily agree with the whole preamble there being factually accurate. I will not let that get in the way of a good answer to a bad question. Tobacco Licensing Victoria does have a dedicated enforcement team, and the number of inspectors alone does not paint the full picture. I have always said it is about a risk-based approach, intelligence led, and they have been quite successful. I can say that in almost 40 per cent of the inspections they have conducted, they have found breaches, because they work closely with Victoria Police, they work closely with law enforcement across the nation. But this is only the beginning. We said if we need to do more, we will, and that is why I announced new closure powers. I want to thank the team for the work they are doing. They will continue to work closely with Victoria Police and other agencies to tackle the illicit trade.