Illegal Tobacco Trade

Mr BATTY (Bragg) (14:21): My question is to the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs. Are there any illegal tobacco stores operating in my electorate? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr BATTY: I wrote to the minister nearly a year ago on 9 November 2023, again on 5 March 2024, again on 21 June 2024 and again on 16 July 2024 to raise concerns about a new tobacco store in Stonyfell. On the weekend that store was firebombed.

The Hon. A. MICHAELS (Enfield—Minister for Small and Family Business, Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, Minister for Arts) (14:22): I want to thank the member for Bragg for his question. I am aware that the health minister, who was responsible up until 30 June this year, responded to those letters that were sent by the member for Bragg and I responded to the one for which I was responsible. But what we have done since 1 July—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. MICHAELS: The member did receive responses from the responsible minister at the relevant times. What this government has done is be ahead of the curve in the investment it has put into CBS to stand up a new task force for tackling illegal vapes and tobacco. A number of investigations and inspections have been undertaken across the state. As you are aware, about $2 million worth of product has been taken off the streets and prosecution briefs are being prepared. That work has been happening in the last 3½ months under Consumer and Business Services.

We are working very closely with SAPOL on a number of those matters; I think the comments from the police commissioner and the Minister for Police indicate that. Obviously, where there are concerns, police are involved, including one particular store that I understand is in the member for Bragg's electorate. We are very concerned and are throwing everything we can at this because we know it is a serious issue. It is not a joke. It is not cliches. It is not taglines. It is a serious thing that we are tackling.

We are tackling it from Consumer and Business Services from a regulatory point of view, from SAPOL from a police enforcement point of view, Border Force as well. There is a strong collaboration within our government and with federal government and other interstate agencies as well.