QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator HUME (Victoria—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:37): My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Minister Wong. Minister, last week I visited the once vibrant and thriving Victoria Street in Richmond, in Victoria, where 10 small businesses were burnt to the ground due to the firebombing of an illicit tobacco shop. I met with Ha, Andrew and Nok and another group of business owners who have all been affected by the organised crime behind the tobacco wars, and their fears and frustrations are very real.

Illicit tobacco now accounts for around 80 per cent of the market. At the same time, consumption has risen by around 30 per cent. Can the minister admit that the Prime Minister has failed small businesses by allowing Australia's illicit tobacco market to become a serious organised crime problem?