Mark Speakman
NSW Leader of the Opposition
Alister Henskens
Shadow Attorney General
Kellie Sloane
Shadow Minister for Health
Gurmesh Singh
Shadow Minister for Regional Health
The NSW Opposition has today welcomed the Minns Labor Government’s decision to follow the Opposition’s lead in finally acting on illicit tobacco and vapes, dangerous products peddled by organised crime in plain sight of NSW communities.
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said while this overdue announcement is a step in the right direction, it’s clear Labor only acted after months of political pressure, media scrutiny and growing community frustration.
“We’ve been calling for this for months. Communities knew it. Small businesses knew it. Parents knew it. And now finally the Premier knows it,” Mr Speakman said.
Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens said the Minns Labor Government had presided over a surge in illegal tobacco and vapes, while gangs exploited weak penalties and slow enforcement.
“The government ignored what everyone could see, blacked-out shops appearing overnight, with no receipts, no regulation and no accountability,” Mr Henskens said.
Shadow Minister for Health Kellie Sloane said illicit tobacco wasn’t just a law and order issue, it was a growing public health crisis affecting young people, families and local communities.
“We can’t allow another generation to be targeted by criminal operators selling cheap, addictive poison under the counter,” Ms Sloane said.
Shadow Minister for Regional Health Gurmesh Singh said communities outside Sydney had been particularly vulnerable due to lack of enforcement.
“From the coast to the west, regional main streets had become easy targets,” Mr Singh said.
The NSW Coalition’s original announcement, made publicly on 29 June included:
- Jail time of up to 7 years for serious illegal tobacco crimes
- $1.5 million fines
- Closure powers for NSW Health and the courts
- New offences for landlords who knowingly lease to offenders
- Lease termination rights for landlords
- A clear message NSW would no longer be a soft target