Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr MLA has called for the State Government to introduce greater penalties to deter the sale of illicit tobacco, speaking in Parliament to address Labor’s failure to bring on legislation to shut down stores that sell illegal tobacco.
Ms Warr said police needed to be given the tools to properly handle these issues.
“Every other mainland state has made moves and got on with the job to shut down illegal tobacco outlets, yet the Cook Labor Government continues to drag its feet,” she said.
“Western Australians are paying the price, and the problem has escalated from an economic issue to a serious public safety concern.
“What we are now witnessing looks like an exodus of organised crime from other states into Western Australia because the penalties here are weak and the laws even weaker.”
Ms Warr spoke locally about the issues, saying a number of places existed within the electorate selling either illegal tobacco products, or legal products for less than the tax associated with them.
However, Ms Warr said it was a legislative issue, not an issue of enforcement.
“Let me be clear, our police do an outstanding job with the resources they have. What we’re calling for is legislation to give police the ability to shut down these stores and act swiftly,” she said.
“The Police Commissioner himself has called for this, as has the Cancer Council.
“Residents have concerns over what may come next if nothing is done, and the government needs to introduce harsher penalties before that happens.”
Ms Warr urged the State Government to bring in these laws as soon as possible.
“Why is it that when community safety is on the line, when organised crime is spreading, suddenly this government has all the time in the world?” she said.
“This is a matter of urgency, and Western Australians deserve a government that takes their safety seriously.”
