THE HON KRISTY MCBAIN MP
MEMBER FOR EDEN-MONARO
Communities across Eden-Monaro have been loud and clear about the impacts of illicit tobacco cigarettes and vapes – particularly on young members of our community that are targeted by these harmful industries.
That is why the Albanese Government is continuing to crack down on black market tobacco across Australia, and the people profiting from it – with an additional $156.7 million to support law enforcement agencies take the fight to criminals.
This substantial investment – which adds to the Government’s existing $188.5 million commitment to combatting illicit tobacco, along with the increase of the tobacco excise, is about protecting our community, and helping people to live longer and healthier lives.
It is focused on breaking the business model of criminal networks by dismantling their business capabilities and confiscating illicitly-gained assets and monies – with $49.4 million to support expanding the AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce.
This additional investment also includes $7 million to support the Australian Border Force to utilise emerging technology to screen and detect more illicit tobacco at our borders – to stop it at the source and to disrupt the international market.
New funding will also support states and territories to establish local level capability to swiftly respond to their own unique compliance and enforcement challenges – with $40 million to strengthen cross-jurisdictional partnerships – benefiting communities in Eden-Monaro.
For the full list of measures supported by this additional $156.7 million, visit: Action to combat the trade of illicit tobacco | Health Portfolio Ministers | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Quotes attributable to Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain:
“This is a major investment to strengthen our work cracking down on criminals bringing illegal tobacco into Eden-Monaro, because it has no place in our community.
“Long-term smokers die 10 years earlier than non-smokers and tobacco smoking remains one of the leading cause of preventable death and disability – we’re doing something about it.
“Not only are we encouraging people to quit smoking, we’re cracking down on illegal cigarettes and vapes – which only lead to worse health and economic outcomes for people in our community.
“We know that black market tobacco is targeting young people in particular – with our additional investment focused on protecting people’s health, and stopping another generation of people in Eden-Monaro being lured into tobacco addiction.”
ENDS
