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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-11-25 Daily Xml
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Arson Attacks

In reply to the Hon. J.S. LEE ().4 September 2025).

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): In relation to the matters relating to her portfolio, the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs has advised:

The Malinauskas government remains committed to disrupting illicit tobacco and vape sales in South Australia. CBS have a strong focus on enforcement since they assumed responsibility for compliance and enforcement matters under the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products Act 1997 on 1 July 2024. In this time, CBS have undertaken over 600 inspections and over $47 million worth of illicit products have been seized by CBS and South Australia Police (SAPOL).

CBS and SAPOL work together closely to identify and investigate premises suspected to be engaging in the illicit trade, particularly where elements of organised crime may be involved. CBS and SAPOL regularly attend these premises to seize illicit products and shut them down. To date, over 120 closure orders have been issued under the act, with over 80 of these being the 28-day short-term closures introduced in June 2025.

To mitigate the risk of illegal activities associated with the illicit market, the government will remain proactive and continue to close premises suspected of unlawfully selling and supplying unlawful products. This approach serves to prevent potential arson attacks and protect the wider community.

In relation to question 2, the Minister for Police has advised:

The Commissioner for Victims' Rights is the independent statutory officer who assists victims of crime and makes sure they are treated according to the Victims of Crime Act 2001, which includes submission of a victim impact statement to the court and compensation as a victim of crime.

On 15 September 2024 South Australia Police (SAPOL) created a dedicated policing operation (Operation Eclipse) to lead, direct and oversee targeted policing activities to investigate and disrupt serious criminal activity associated with the illicit tobacco and vape trade in South Australia.

The primary offences targeted by Operation Eclipse include extortion, arson, assaults, violence, money laundering and trafficking in large commercial and commercial quantities of illicit tobacco and vapes.

SAPOL continues to work closely with Consumer and Business Services to identify organised crime networks that may be involved in the illicit tobacco market.

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