Victoria’s state government has been unable to say when it will catch up with other states and introduce a licensing scheme for tobacco stores.
There have been three attacks in four days on businesses linked to the industry, as demands grow for action.
In total, there have been 74 hits since March last year, but no sign of new rules.
Unlike liquor rules, there’s no licence needed to sell tobacco in Victoria, and no fit-and-proper-person test, leading to shops popping up at will.
“Tobacco is regulated by organised crime in Victoria pretty much,” MP David Limbrick said.
“Victoria is the only state that doesn’t have a licensing system and we’re the only state that tobacco shops are burning week after week,” Nationals MP Tim McCurdy said.
“And yet we’ve seen nothing. The police are at their wits’ end. They need search and seizure powers.”
The government insists changes are coming.
Premier Jacinta Allen had promised legislation by the end of the year.
Four months on, her deputy was unable to say exactly when
“I don’t want to go into minute details except to say across government lots of work is occurring,” Deputy Premier Ben Carroll said.
“Any criminality needs to be stamped out.”
Other claims of organised crime involvement are expected to dominate debate when Parliament resumes tomorrow.
The Coalition is attempting to get support for an upper house inquiry into reports of kickbacks and CFMEU standover tactics on government builds.
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