MATTERS OF URGENCY

Senator POLLEY (Tasmania) (16:32): As chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement, I'm acutely aware of the challenges associated with illicit tobacco importations and the effect they're having across the country. The illicit tobacco trade has become a significant concern in Australia, undermining decades of progress in tobacco control and threatening the safety and wellbeing of communities across the nation.

As criminal networks expand their operations, the consequences are felt not only through lost government revenue but also through increased violence, intimidation and harm to honest retailers and workers. Recognising the seriousness of these issues, the Albanese Labor government has reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on illicit tobacco, positioning this initiative as a cornerstone of its broader efforts to safeguard public health and uphold the integrity of Australian tobacco control policies.

Firebombings and other destructive acts are increasingly reported as criminal attempts to control the market and silence those who oppose their operations. Intimidation and threats are used to coerce honest retailers and workers, forcing them to comply or risk their livelihoods and personal safety. The Albanese Labor government recognises the urgent need to address these harms, ensuring that communities are protected and that offenders are brought to justice.

As a government, we are acting strongly against these acts, rebalancing the risk-to-reward calculations for criminal actors by raising offence penalties to match the severity of the harms being caused by the illicit tobacco trade and enhancing Australia's proceeds-of-crime regime to ensure it can more effectively target criminal profits generated by illicit tobacco.

The government acknowledges that illicit tobacco is not a minor issue; it is a complex problem that demands coordinated action from law enforcement, regulatory bodies and policymakers through increased funding for enforcement agencies, legislative reforms and enhanced cooperation with state and territory governments. The Albanese Labor government is working to dismantle the networks responsible for bringing illicit tobacco into Australia and distributing it across the country.

I want to put on record the Albanese Labor government's record in this space. Since 2023-24, the Albanese Labor government has provided $346 million in funding for the Australian Border Force to crack down on illicit tobacco and vaping products. The government also appointed the first-ever illicit tobacco and eSafety Commissioner, with $21.3 million allocated in the 2025-26 budget to help coordinate national effects to combat this illicit trade.

Collaboration with state and territory law enforcement is vital in ensuring a unified approach to tackling the problem at every level. The government's focus on legislative reform aims to close loopholes that criminals exploit, making it harder for illicit tobacco to enter and circulate within Australia. Ongoing reviews by enforcement practices ensure that strategies remain effective and responsive to emerging threats.

By taking decisive actions against criminal networks we are sending a clear message that we want to put an end to this. We know that Border Force and the Australian Federal Police with the state police are doing what they need to do and are working every single day to stem the flow of illicit tobacco and vapes into Australia. They have enhanced detection, disruption and destruction of illicit tobacco and vapes at the borders and within the community.

There is better connection and coordination of efforts across the Commonwealth and the states and territories, including the establishment of the national disruption group. Since January 2024, 14 million vape products and accessories have been seized by Australian Border Force. In just the last six months of last year, more than a billion illicit cigarettes were also seized.

We're seeing change in action with more tobacco and vapes seized at the borders, more stores shut down and more criminals convicted. We know there's still more to be done, and we've seen the work in action by this disruption group—led, as I said, by Border Force, bringing together the Commonwealth and the states and territories. We need a coordinated effort.

Vapes are not a safe alternative to smoking. Vapes are highly nicotine potent, and there is clear evidence linking vaping and cancer. People who vape are five times more likely to end up smoking.

We are committed. We don't accept tobacco donation at elections. It just seems to be ironic that those in the Liberals and Nationals and One Nation who are taking their— (Time expired)