State opposition to introduce private member’s bill detailing its tobacco licensing scheme

Fed up with the inaction of the Allan government, the Coalition will introduce a private member’s bill outlining its tobacco licencing scheme in a bid to rein in Melbourne’s out of control tobacco wars.

Criminals caught selling illicit tobacco will be fined up to $1m for a first offence in a bold plan proposed by the state opposition.

The Coalition said it is fed up with the inaction of the Labor government and will introduce a private member’s bill on Tuesday detailing its tobacco licensing scheme.

Anyone wanting to sell tobacco would first need to pass a fit and proper person test, similar to when applying for a liquor licence.

Police would receive beefed up powers to raid businesses and seize illegal tobacco products under the scheme.

All wholesale and retail tobacco stores would need a licence to operate and Victoria Police would receive beefed up powers to raid businesses and seize illegal products.

Criminals caught selling illicit tobacco would be fined up to 5000 penalty points – equivalent to almost $1m – while repeat offenders could receive up to two years behind bars.

Opposition consumer affairs spokesman Tim McCurdy, said it was frustrating to see the government “sitting on its hands as Melbourne burns”.

“Since March last year Victoria has seen 110 firebombings and the Allan government has done absolutely nothing,” he told the Herald Sun.

“At this rate it will be mid-2026 before we see any serious enforcement action and that will mean another 110 arsons and innocent lives needlessly being put at risk.”

He added: “We simply have to take the lead on this issue. These are serious offences and we will match them with serious consequences to stem this violence plaguing our state.”

Currently, the punishment for selling illicit tobacco in Victoria is $47,421 (240 penalty points) for an individual and $237,109 (1200 penalty points) for a body corporate.

A report by Better Regulation Victoria recommended the Labor government introduce a tobacco licensing scheme in May 2022.

A tobacco shop in Altona was fire bombed twice in as many days. Picture: David Crosling

But nothing has been done and serious organised crime gang figures such as Fadi Haddara,Kazem ‘Kaz’ Hamad, brothers Dib and Hassan Barakat and Sam Abdulrahim have been allowed to flourish, raking in millions of dollars each week.

Shops, gyms, cafes, reception centres and garages have all been torched in a fight for control of the lucrative illicit tobacco market.

Premier Jacinta Allan said in March that tobacco licensing legislation would be introduced by the end of the year but no details have been released since.

Industry and retailers have also not been consulted.

Victoria is the only state or territory in Australia without any kind of registration or licensing scheme in place.

The price of a legal packet of cigarettes is about $50-60, while illicit tobacco is less than half the price.

Victoria Police estimates there are 1100 illicit tobacco shops across the state.

Originally published as State opposition to introduce private member’s bill detailing its tobacco licensing scheme