❓ Mr Hort questions the Minister for Health on why WA hasn't implemented a dedicated illicit tobacco enforcement squad like Queensland. The Minister responds by highlighting existing enforcement efforts and inter-agency collaboration.
AnsweredQoN 571Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Tobacco—Illegal supply
571. Mr Adam Hort to
the Minister for Health:
I refer to the
Queensland Government's $12 million investment in a dedicated illicit tobacco
enforcement squad, including 40 new specialist officers, an initiative that did
not require new legislation.
(1) Can the minister explain why she has not taken
similar immediate action to establish or fund a comparable enforcement team in Western
Australia?
(2) How many FTE are in the Tobacco Control
Compliance unit?
571. Mr Adam Hort to
the Minister for Health:
I refer to the
Queensland Government's $12 million investment in a dedicated illicit tobacco
enforcement squad, including 40 new specialist officers, an initiative that did
not require new legislation.
(1) Can the minister explain why she has not taken
similar immediate action to establish or fund a comparable enforcement team in Western
Australia?
(2) How many FTE are in the Tobacco Control
Compliance unit?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for the
question. I outlined in an earlier answer some of the work that the Department
of Health is doing in enforcement and the increases in enforcement numbers
since we spent some time on this matter yesterday. I am happy to repeat them because
they demonstrate the work that has been done. Since January 2024, there have
been more than 1,952 inspections. We have removed 220,000 vapes to the value of
$6.6 million, nearly one million cigarettes and 159 kilos of loose tobacco.
I made the point yesterday
during the matter of public interest and I have made it again today, but I will
do it one more time. In terms of enforcing the legislation, the Department of
Health works with the Western Australia Police Force, and that is often because
there are concerns about other criminal elements when undertaking enforcement
activity. They also work with the Australian Border Force and Commonwealth
agencies because the Commonwealth has an interest in and powers over our borders.
The multi-agency collaboration is a really important part of the overall
enforcement activities. We also welcomed the recent announcement by Minister
Tony Burke about the newly formed Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group, which
is working with state and territory governments to strengthen the fight against
criminals in the illicit tobacco market. We are undertaking a range of activities
using existing laws to concentrate on enforcement activities. Yesterday during
the debate and in a question to the Premier, we demonstrated the additional
seizures that can occur with those multi-agency approaches—11 million
cigarettes, three tonnes of loose tobacco, more than 300,000 vapes and over
$2.5 million in cash out of the hands of criminals. We are working
collaboratively in a range of different settings—
Mr Adam Hort interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Kalamunda, you have a
supplementary coming up. You can ask your question then.
Ms Meredith Hammat: We are working collaboratively
across agencies to enforce the laws that we have. But, as I have said, we are
clear about the need for additional legislation. When that bill is ready, it
will be introduced in the house.
question. I outlined in an earlier answer some of the work that the Department
of Health is doing in enforcement and the increases in enforcement numbers
since we spent some time on this matter yesterday. I am happy to repeat them because
they demonstrate the work that has been done. Since January 2024, there have
been more than 1,952 inspections. We have removed 220,000 vapes to the value of
$6.6 million, nearly one million cigarettes and 159 kilos of loose tobacco.
I made the point yesterday
during the matter of public interest and I have made it again today, but I will
do it one more time. In terms of enforcing the legislation, the Department of
Health works with the Western Australia Police Force, and that is often because
there are concerns about other criminal elements when undertaking enforcement
activity. They also work with the Australian Border Force and Commonwealth
agencies because the Commonwealth has an interest in and powers over our borders.
The multi-agency collaboration is a really important part of the overall
enforcement activities. We also welcomed the recent announcement by Minister
Tony Burke about the newly formed Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group, which
is working with state and territory governments to strengthen the fight against
criminals in the illicit tobacco market. We are undertaking a range of activities
using existing laws to concentrate on enforcement activities. Yesterday during
the debate and in a question to the Premier, we demonstrated the additional
seizures that can occur with those multi-agency approaches—11 million
cigarettes, three tonnes of loose tobacco, more than 300,000 vapes and over
$2.5 million in cash out of the hands of criminals. We are working
collaboratively in a range of different settings—
Mr Adam Hort interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Kalamunda, you have a
supplementary coming up. You can ask your question then.
Ms Meredith Hammat: We are working collaboratively
across agencies to enforce the laws that we have. But, as I have said, we are
clear about the need for additional legislation. When that bill is ready, it
will be introduced in the house.
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