The State Government must prioritise tobacco related crime when Parliament resumes, after a Bendigo shop was damaged in a suspicious fire overnight, the Nationals Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said today.
Ms Broad said she was very concerned that crime and violence related to tobacco had now impacted central Victoria.
“Top of the government’s agenda when state Parliament resumes should be legislation that requires traders to obtain a licence to operate and sell tobacco products,” Ms Broad said.
“Currently a licence is not required.
“Victoria is lagging behind other states, and this loophole is seeing criminal activity soar,” Ms Broad said.
“The Premier should focus on prevention and introduce laws as soon as possible to close this loophole.”
Ms Broad said more than 30 tobacco shops in Melbourne had already been impacted, and police were concerned the incident in Bendigo may be linked.
“The violence is driven by the huge profits that come from selling illegal tobacco products smuggled into Australia.
“Currently Victoria Police are just chasing their tails.
“Unless the State Government takes action, these atrocities will only get worse.
“Under this State Government, crime rates continue to rise and they must take action so people can feel safe no matter where they live.”
Police are treating the Bendigo fire as suspicious and will investigate if there are links to other recent fires in tobacco stores around the state.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
