Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026

Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (14:06): I move: That this bill be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.

The PRESIDENT: I will now deal with the second reading amendment circulated by One Nation. The question is that the amendment on sheet 3860 be agreed to. One Nation's circulated amendment— At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate: (a) notes that: (i) organised crime now accounts for up to 80% of sales of tobacco products, (ii) law enforcement is overwhelmed by the scale of the illicit tobacco industry leading to widespread violence and property damage, (iii) law-abiding citizens and small businesses in proximity to illicit tobacco outlets are in physical and financial danger, (iv) organised crime is facilitating cigarette sales to children, and (v) the very high rate of tobacco excise has broken the compact between the government and the public to each treat the other fairly; and (b) calls on the Government to: (i) reduce the excise rate of tobacco products by 75%, effective immediately, (ii) maintain the lower rate until organised crime has been controlled, (iii) cancel indexation of the excise rate for three years, (iv) direct the Office of the eSafety Commissioner to use their existing powers to take down websites offering direct sales of illicit tobacco products, and (v) return tobacco excise to a more sensible level once organised crime has been controlled".