Wednesday, 16 October 2024

Tobacco licensing

Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (19:23): (1196) My adjournment is to the Minister for Consumer Affairs and for the attention of the Premier to again ask the state government to take action and set up a retail licensing scheme for the tobacco industry. So far more than 100 Victorian shops have been firebombed or destroyed, including a tobacco store in Hargreaves Mall, right in the centre of Bendigo, opposite a children’s playground. In January this year a car rammed into the store, causing a fire and damage to nearby businesses. Ten months later it should be a bustling, busy shopping area, but these shops remain closed, including the menswear store next door. A parliamentary inquiry and report into the tobacco industry made a key recommendation that every seller be required to hold a licence and face strict reporting rules. The illicit tobacco trade continues to grow, yet the government has failed to take action to introduce legislation to address this issue.

I visited local businesses in Eaglehawk recently. Quite rightly, many residents and business owners are very concerned that a tobacconist and convenience store plans to open in the main street. Local residents are concerned about the safety of their community. Many are asking why the state government is doing nothing to curb this criminal activity. They have gathered together to sign a petition to send to the City of Greater Bendigo, but as these matters relate to a state responsibility it is appropriate to bring it to the attention of the Premier. I raised this issue back in January after the incident occurred in Bendigo, and my Nationals colleague Tim McCurdy, as Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, has repeatedly raised this issue.

In March the Premier indicated that urgent action would be taken, but we are still waiting for legislation that requires traders to obtain a licence to operate and sell tobacco products. Currently Victoria is lagging behind other states and a licence is not required. Why is the Allan Labor government failing to take action and permitting the chaos and crime to continue? The action I seek is for the state government to focus on crime prevention and introduce laws as soon as possible to close this loophole.