Liberals to Demand Tougher Fines and Longer Closures in Tobacco Crackdown Debate
The State Opposition is set to push for significant amendments to Labor's new tobacco legislation when debate begins in Parliament on Tuesday, aiming to introduce long-term closure orders and substantially increased penalties for those selling vapes or cigarettes to minors.
Key Amendments Proposed by the Liberals
One of the primary amendments involves implementing long-term closure orders of up to 12 months for businesses found violating tobacco laws. Additionally, the Liberals seek to remove the Health Minister from decision-making processes, transferring all responsibility to the Department of Health director general.
Penalties for corporations selling tobacco or vapes to children would be dramatically increased under the Liberal proposal. First-time offenders would face fines of up to $300,000, a sharp rise from the currently proposed $50,000. Subsequent offences could see maximum fines double to $600,000.
Individuals caught selling to minors would be fined up to $60,000 for a first offence, up from $10,000. Landlords would also gain more power, allowing them to terminate leases with tenants subject to closure orders.
Opposition's Call for Immediate Action
Shadow Police Minister Adam Hort emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the time to act is now. He highlighted recent incidents, including firebombings of shops, threats to business owners, and drive-by shootings, arguing that these amendments are necessary to shut down the illicit tobacco trade.
"We cannot afford to wait months for stronger laws while organised crime continues to escalate," Hort said. He criticized the current Bill as weak for omitting long-term closures, which are set to be included in Labor's second tranche of legislation later this year.
Government's Defense and Current Legislation
Police Minister Reece Whitby defended the pace of Labor's reforms, noting that the proposed penalties would be among the toughest in the country. He cited support from the Australian Council on Smoking and Health, which applauded the legislation.
"We've got legislation which is amongst the toughest in the country," Whitby said. He also pointed out that the current legislation allows for short-term 90-day closure notices to be rolled over, enabling new notices to be implemented immediately after the previous ones expire.
Broader Context and Political Stance
The debate follows months of pressure on the Cook Government to take decisive action against the illicit tobacco trade, spurred by multiple alleged firebombings on suspected illegal tobacconists. The Opposition has positioned itself as ready to step up where the government has been slow to act.
"This is a test of leadership, and where the Government has been slow to act, the Opposition is prepared to step up," Hort added. He called for strong laws that match the scale of the problem and expressed willingness to work constructively with the government.
Premier Roger Cook has promised changes to better protect landlords as part of a second tranche of legislation by the end of this year, but the Opposition argues that immediate action is crucial to address the escalating crisis.
