Thursday, 2 April 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:22): (1304) My question is to the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. Following Tobacco Licensing Victoria’s first month of operations the government proudly announced the cumulative seizure of less than a day’s supply of illicit tobacco and found 49 stores in breach. How many prosecutions have commenced in relation to these seizures?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:22): I thank Mrs McArthur for her question and interest in this really important national issue. As I said yesterday, I am proud that we have invested a record $46 million into our new tobacco licensing scheme and new regulator – and thank you also for highlighting the amazing work they have already done in the first month. As you would appreciate, Mrs McArthur, with all these operational matters our frontline staff are doing a fantastic job, and some of the breaches they have found will lead to prosecution. We are talking about the first month, and that will take time to take its course. But we are not stopping there. We are giving them additional powers. Later this year we will see some stores being closed, and we are also holding landlords to account. What I can confirm is that those breaches are at varying levels, as you would appreciate. Some of them are minor breaches and some of them are more serious, and some of those more serious breaches will lead to prosecution.

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:24): Minister, in May last year you said these illicit tobacco offences were the result of the federal government’s huge excise duty. You said:

It’s clearly led to the creation of this illegal market … Tobacco is an addiction and the illegal product is a lot cheaper.

The underlying cause … will still be the price of the legal product.

Minister, do you still accept that Victoria’s gangland warfare is a result of the federal government’s tobacco tax addiction?

The PRESIDENT: The minister can answer as he sees fit.

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice) (12:25): Mrs McArthur, I reject the premise of the question. I do recall what I did say to the ABC, and I was very clear that there are multiple reasons for the growth of the illicit trade, the price differential being one factor amongst many. As was also made clear in this chamber yesterday, Victoria is doing our bit to tackle organised crime because we have zero tolerance for organised crime and those criminal networks behind that in Victoria, and that is why we have a tough new licensing scheme.

Police have been busy – 150 arrests, almost $40 million worth of products taken off our streets. We will continue to do that work, and you will see a lot more announcements this year. We have always said we will scale up as required, and we are doing that with the new closure powers. I think the price differential is one factor. We know the role of the border force. We know the role of the settings in our state. We are doing our bit. This is a national problem that requires a national approach, and we will continue to do that work.