Illegal Tobacco Trade

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (14:10): My question is to the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services. Will the minister win the war on illegal tobacco and, if so, by what date? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: The police commissioner confirmed yesterday that three organised crime syndicates are involved in the black market tobacco trade, which has descended into a state of chaos. He said:

Absolutely there is a risk of these type of activities escalating to acts which are more likely to cause harm to individuals and we're very concerned about that.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Special Minister of State) (14:11): I thank the leader for this important question. As the leader is aware, the government is cracking down on the increased use of tobacco and vape products in collaboration with the commonwealth government. It must be said that the government has introduced the toughest penalties in Australia in relation to illegal tobacco. It is important that we send a signal that we won't tolerate the sale of illegal tobacco. As we have seen in our community, there are—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: Are you going to continue the types of cliches and slogans that you have contributed to this debate so far? Is that all you're going to do here? Because so far that is the limit of your inadequate contribution.

The SPEAKER: Members on my left! Minister, resume your seat. It's not the minister's place to be lecturing those opposite or responding to interjections. And I remind those on my left that it's against the standing orders to interject. You are all on your final warnings. If anyone interjects from here on in, you will spend the rest of the time in the tuckshop.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I appreciate your guidance as always in relation to these matters. As I have indicated, the government has introduced and we hope, of course, to see through legislation which will increase penalties up to $1.5 million for some breaches of tobacco licensing and regulation measures in our state.

Of course, there's going to be a ban on vending machine sales of tobacco products in public areas. As you know, the fines proposed for the sale of illegal tobacco will be increasing from $10,000 to $750,000 for the first offence and $1.1 million for a subsequent offence. This sends a very important signal to those, perhaps, small gift shops that have been selling legal tobacco and gifts, but illegal tobacco under the counter, that if you face a second offence, $1.1 million is a very, very substantial fine that you might face.

As well, of course, as the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs has indicated, there will be a power to shut down an illegal tobacco shop for up to six months with the supervision of the Magistrates Court and—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: If it's such a serious issue, you might listen to the answer.

The SPEAKER: Minister, I remind you of something I said less than two minutes ago: you won't respond to interjections. To those on my left, stop making the interjections.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. As always, I appreciate your protection and your direction with respect to the standing orders. Operation Eclipse in South Australia is a very significant operation that South Australia Police are directing at what is a very significant concern in our community.

This is a matter that has the whole focus of Operation Eclipse. Those of you who have followed developments in Victoria will know that there has been an ongoing operation in Victoria, Operation Luna. South Australia Police are grateful to Victoria Police for the significant amount of intelligence that has been shared in relation to the crime series that developed in Victoria and the way in which these patterns of criminal activity can roll out over time.

Just yesterday, the police commissioner announced the outcomes of Operation Eclipse to date. A very, very significant crime figure was arrested. There was refusal of police bail in view of the significance of the alleged offending, and that brought arrests under that operation up to six; of course, tobacco had been seized, large amounts of money and a number of vehicles. I have been reassured by the commissioner just yesterday that very, very substantial police resources are being invested in this operation. Of course, we are not going to reflect on police intelligence or operational matters but the parliament and South Australians can be reassured that this is a very serious matter and being taken seriously.