STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms PENFOLD (Lyne) (13:45): I will always champion small business, and I will always champion action that smashes organised crime. That's why I'm backing the coalition's plans to dismantle the criminal business model behind illegal tobacco. Across Lyne, our local tobacconists, service stations, newsagents and convenience stores are trying to do the right thing by employing local people, paying taxes and complying with the law.

But they're being forced to compete with criminals selling illegal tobacco at a fraction of the legal price. This is not a level playing field. Government policy cannot support a business model that hands organised crime a massive competitive advantage over honest small businesses.

The coalition will slash tobacco excise by 80 per cent, taking away the price advantage fuelling the black market. We want fewer Australians smoking, and we want those who still smoke to not be funding organised crime. We'll back that with a $200 million nationwide law enforcement surge to smash criminal networks, disrupt supply chains and recover the proceeds of crime.

We'll bring vapes and nicotine pouches into a legal, regulated and taxed adult market with strong safeguards for children. Small businesses across Lyne are already battling rising power bills, insurance and wages as well as other costs. They should not have to compete with criminals as well.

Change the economics, smash the black market and back honest businesses.