Illegal Tobacco Trade

Mr BATTY (Bragg) (14:52): My question is to the Minister for Police. Has the minister sought a briefing about Victoria's illegal tobacco trade and, if so, when did he first seek that briefing?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Special Minister of State) (14:52): The issue of illegal tobacco and the associated involvement of crime groups in South Australia is a very serious one and it's a matter that both myself and the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs have been receiving additional and important information on regularly. However, much of that information relates, at least with respect to the police portfolio, to aspects of police intelligence.

Just yesterday, I received additional information from the Commissioner in relation to the substantial efforts that are being made under Operation Eclipse in South Australia to address this problem. Every effort is being made by South Australia Police to ensure that the groups that are involved in the criminal activity that we are observing are the subject of significant enforcement action, and that will continue. In terms of Taskforce Lunar, the operation in Victoria, I have also been briefed that South Australia Police are receiving intelligence from Victoria and that there is a very good, ongoing, cooperative relationship between Victoria Police and South Australia Police, and I expect that that will continue, too.

But let me emphasise this to the shadow minister: there has been an immediate and direct injection of funds from this government to ensure that this issue has the resources that it needs in terms of Consumer and Business Services and also of course, as I indicated, police are continuing their actions. The amount of $16 million is a substantial sum. It is necessary to ensure that in another portfolio, which of course I am not responsible for discharging activities in relation to but I work very closely with, officers have the appropriate resources to deal with this very significant issue.

It will be the case that there will be ongoing enforcement action. Of course, the steps that police are taking in terms of their operational investigations are operational matters which are understandably, as the shadow minister is aware, matters that South Australia Police have complete agency and independence over.