New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has urged the federal government to intervene in the fight against the burgeoning illegal tobacco trade, which he claims is rampant on the streets. He has proposed reallocating police resources from major crime investigations to address this escalating problem.
The illegal tobacco market is tied to a rise in severe criminal activities in Sydney and throughout New South Wales, with incidents such as firebombings, drive-by shootings, armed robberies, and gang conflicts surfacing as consequences of this underground economy. Currently, enforcement falls under the health department’s jurisdiction, a situation Minns believes needs amendment. He stated, “We want the health department running hospitals, not conducting criminal investigations.”
At present, there are only about 20 compliance officers tackling this issue statewide, with a notably insufficient presence in southern New South Wales, where just one officer covers an area comparable to Denmark. The Opposition’s health spokesperson, Kellie Sloane, remarked on the inadequacy of these efforts, likening the situation to “shooting a water pistol at a tidal wave.”
Minns’ suggestion to shift responsibility to the already overwhelmed police force has met with pushback from law enforcement, with reports of discontent among officers regarding this proposed change, fearing it could compromise their capacity to address other critical areas. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Mark Speakman accused Minns of deflecting accountability, asserting that more resources are necessary to meet the challenge.
In response to the growing concern, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has dismissed the idea of reducing tobacco excise, which is aimed at reducing smoking rates. Instead, he announced an additional $157 million in funding to bolster policing efforts against the illegal tobacco trade.
The alarming rise of illegal tobacco continues to generate concerns among policymakers, highlighting the urgent need for a coordinated approach that can effectively mitigate its pervasive impact on the community.