Mary Aldred (Monash, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

While hardworking mum-and-dad small businesses are struggling to keep their heads above water under state and federal Labor governments, there's one sector that's booming, and that's the illegal tobacco trade. And, if business as usual for the crooks and cartels running the illicit trade isn't strong enough, today the tobacco excise increases yet again—this time to $1.52 per cigarette. That's more than $30 for a standard pack. That is up to an estimated $10 billion we are losing that could be spent on roads, schools and hospitals.

Small businesses are continuing to get ramraided, and retail staff are worried about being assaulted. This is yet another example of state and federal Labor's record on law and order. They are putting everyday Australians at risk. From illegal tobacco to ISIS brides to the CFMEU chaos in Victoria, state and federal Labor governments have their heads in the sand. We urgently need resourcing and investment in law enforcement across a range of areas. Illegal tobacco is hurting small business. It's endangering our community. There are no consequences for actions under state and federal Labor governments, and the illegal tobacco trade is a prime example of that, particularly today, where we see the excise tax increasing yet again. Australians deserve better.